Whitney Marie sipping tea, sun behind ehr hear.

Spotlights On: Whitney Marie

Northern Michigan songwriter Whitney Marie turns Rapunzel, Bonnie and Clyde, and her own story into moody, fairy-tale-tinged folk you won't forget.

Aug 143 min read

A man leans against a brick wall with blurry lights in the background, smiling at the camera with a brown button up and a brown beret on his head.

Spotlights On: Luke Woltanski

Northern Michigan singer-songwriter Luke Woltanski performs 74 shows this summer on his Sips and Songs tour, with stops at Lake Ann Brewing Co., Chateau Grand Traverse, and venues across Michigan. His long-awaited Sessions album drops alongside the tour.

Jun 195 min read

Three performers on stage at an open mic night in a warm, wood-paneled venue. In the foreground, a bearded man in a red henley laughs and claps. Behind him, a woman with short hair and tattooed arms sings with her hands raised. To the right, a man in a vest and cap plays acoustic guitar at a microphone.

Spotlights On: The Stonefruit Collective

The Stonefruit Collective is a Traverse City-based rotating musician group blending folk, harmony, and theatrical storytelling. Their upcoming summer series, Songs for the Earth Curious, takes audiences through tales of lakes, land, and the soul at venues across Northern Michigan.

May 224 min read

Welcome to Cherry Capital Beats.

If you've ever wondered where Northern Michigan's next breakout artist is hiding... you're not alone.

On any given summer night in Traverse City, you can follow the music right down Front Street Guitar strums spill out of brewery doors, DJs spin late into the evening, and crowds gather at the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage at the National Cherry Festival. In this vibrant corner of Traverse City, Cherry Capital Beats helps you find the stages where longtime favorites and new voices show off their talent.

But what about the artists still building? Still writing, rehearsing, and taking small stages right here in Northern Michigan, but without the big-name attention.

Too often, discovering hometown talent can come down to luck. Unless you've met an artist personally—or have a friend dedicated to hunting down the "underground" scene—incredible local performances can slip by unnoticed.

Cherry Capital Beats was born to change that.

This platform connects live-music lovers with emerging artists and the venues that keep Northern Michigan's music scene thriving. Whether you're a lifelong local or visiting for the weekend, this is your place to discover who's playing, where they're performing, and why they're worth listening to.

However, this isn't a one-man effort. If you're a musician, a live music enthusiast, a venue owner or operator, or love Traverse City, you're a part of this community! Drop a note through the contact form with any ideas, events, or artists you'd like to see incorporated as Cherry Capital Beats develops.

Thanks for being here, and as always...

Concert ticket graphic that shows a black-and-white image of a crowd and reads "Support Live Music"

Check out upcoming events!