THE SPIRIT OF THE SLEEPING BEAR DUNES - This fresh new documentary from Manitou Films is playing this week at the State Theatre for Community Night - presented by Oyrana!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 @ 7:00 PM
Doors Open @ 6:00 PM
$10 Tickets
$6 Students
Subtitled "Awaken Your Spirit", the film features historical footage and photos, interviews with local historians, and contemporary footage of people at the dunes, on the trails and in the waters. Patterson was originally approached by the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau to create a short promotional film that was part history and part adventure. As he shot the film, he found himself thinking it could evolve into something more, and he began creating what became the 50-minute documentary.
The movie shows numerous people enjoying various aspects of the park in the present day and days gone by, utilizing interviews Patterson and his crew shot, as well as historical footage and photos. It includes commentary from local historians,including former National Park Service employees Laura Quackenbush and Bill Herd, and the late Dave Taghon, the longtime president of the Empire Heritage Group.
They detail the legend of how the Sleeping Bear dunes were created and the very real history of the area. The former tells how a bear and her two cubs flee a fire in Wisconsin by swimming across Lake Michigan. She lands on the shore and falls asleep watching for her cubs, who never make it across. The Great Spirit takes pity on her, making her one with the dunes, and the cubs rise to the surface as the Manitou Islands, forever watched over by their mother.
The film also touches on numerous aspects of the park and the areas just north and south of the park proper. The Glen Lakes, Fishtown, Van’s Beach, Elberta Beach, Point Betsie and local businesses are all part of the mix. The outdoor scenes include scenes from all the seasons, demonstrating the year-round appeal of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Get your tickets now here -->
https://secure.traversecityfilmfest.org/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=950970~462fdd21-873c-4827-b227-8a36b913e449&epguid=f9385ae5-a20d-40bd-8812-c04853a2e0fb&mdy=7/23/2025
You may also like the following events from State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay:
- This Saturday, 26th July, 10:00 am, THE LITTLE MERMAID - Sat, July 26th - $1 Kids' Matinee in Traverse City
- Next Saturday, 2nd August, 10:00 am, THE LEGO MOVIE - Sat, August 2nd - $1 Kids' Matinee in Traverse City
- Next month, 6th August, 06:00 pm, FRIDA - WED. AUGUST 6TH @ 7 PM - COMMUNITY NIGHT w/ INTERLOCHEN IN TOWN in Traverse City
Also check out other
Entertainment events in Traverse City,
Trips & Adventurous Activities in Traverse City,
Sports events in Traverse City.
