Summer 2021 Arts Update
Published
With June’s arrival, summer 2021 is officially here.
That means it’s finally time to enjoy all the outdoor opportunities that summer brings to Door County, from hiking and biking to beachgoing, paddling, geocaching, camping, and sunset chasing.
But summer’s arrival also marks the beginning of the local arts season, and most of the county’s musicians, theater groups, artists, galleries, and musical and cultural venues are back in action, ready for a summer of live music, exciting performances, and beautiful art inspired by the landscape.
If you’re headed to Door County this summer, here’s how you can get your artistic fix and support the local arts scene that makes this such a unique, creative, and vibrant place.
Remember to always check a business’s website for updates on performances, operating hours, health and safety protocol, and reservation guidelines.
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Plays & Theatrical Performances
Peninsula Players and Northern Sky Theater are back in 2021 with summer performance schedules. Expect performances to begin mid-June for Northern Sky and mid-July for the Peninsula Players.
Door Shakespeare is also slated to return to Björklunden in Baileys Harbor with a unique one-man performance of Hamlet, where the lead actor will play 17 different roles.
The Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay is currently renovating its theater and will not offer an in-person season, but theater fans can check out virtual plays on TAP’s website.
Live Music & Concerts
One of the best ways to find live music in Door County is to simply head to a restaurant, bar, tavern, brewery, or winery. Many have bands and musicians from a variety of genres performing multiple nights of the week.
You can also check out a concert at multiple performance-dedicated venues, such as the Door County Auditorium (Fish Creek), Southern Door Community Auditorium (Brussels), the Trueblood Performing Arts Center (Washington Island), and the Birch Creek Music Performance Center (Egg Harbor).
Plus, many favorite series like the Fishstock Concert Series, Peninsula Music Festival, and the dynamic Midsummer’s Music are back with live performances. Nearly every art, food, and cultural festival has some musical component as well.
Art Galleries & Artist Studios
One way to get up close and personal with the visual arts is to visit an art gallery or artist’s studio, where you can observe works up close, speak to artists, and see them working in their elements, creating art on the spot.
Keep an eye out for outdoor art crawls and art festivals throughout the season as well, including the Door County Plein Air Festival (July 25-31) and the Door County Festival of Fine Arts (August 14).
Arts Schools & Hands-On Experiences
Art classes and make-your-own-art studios are great for expressing a little creativity and experiencing the zen of creating something by hand. From pottery and ceramics to painting and drawing to candles, creative writing, and fiber arts, there’s a wide variety of disciplines and styles to try your hand at while you’re up here.
Check out the Peninsula School of Art, Clearing Folk School, D.C. Studios, Hands On Art Studio, Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Interfibers Studio Gallery, Door County Candle Company, or Write On, Door County to see what you can make on your trip.
Other Ways to Get Artsy
- Shop for arts, crafts, and folk art at makers and farmers markets
- Find fine arts and crafts at these galleries and shops
- Check out the lineup of summer festivals, many of which are arts themed
- Watch Lesser Known: Door County Art History:
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