After performing self-written music for almost five decades in local pubs in Detroit, the practically unknown Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has become an overnight superstar and global phenomenon. His performances are selling out quickly in large venues around the world. One venue, in particular, had the foresight to see Rodriguez’s crowd-drawing abilities and booked him way in advance.
“When Rodriguez came to Traverse City last summer for the Traverse City Film Festival, there weren’t a whole lot of people talking about him,” explains Laura Herd, director of the Traverse City Wine and Art Festival. “We knew right away that Rodriguez was the perfect musician to anchor the 100 percent Michigan lineup, and we’ve been so happy to watch the world discover him.”
Rodriguez’s powerful story as an undiscovered singer-songwriter was recently told in the Academy Award-winning documentary, Searching for Sugar Man. The release of this film quickly led to appearances on David Letterman, 60 Minutes, the Tonight Show, and in Time magazine, making Rodriguez a household name whose performances are in high demand.
Fortunately for us Michiganders, Rodriguez is scheduled to perform at the Traverse City Wine and Art Festival on Saturday, June 22 at 6 p.m. Other performers include The Crane Wives, the Ben Daniels Band, and Blake Elliott and the Robinson Affair.
And, what pairs well with great music? Great Michigan wine, of course! The festival is an annual celebration of wine, food, and culture featuring regional wines and gourmet fare of northern Michigan.
Though tickets to the festival sold out fast, a very limited number of Wine Festival Weekend Passes are still available. Weekend passes are $70 and include an extraordinary Winemakers Party on Friday night in addition to Saturday’s festivities.
The Winemakers Party is being held June 21 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Attendees can sip regional wines and mingle with winemakers as they pour featured wines paired with gourmet fare from the area’s finest chefs. Saturday’s activities include a great lineup of musical and other performances, local art displays and a long list of regional wines and foods. Click here for more information about the event or to get your Weekend Passes.
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