STORM: Ludington

Some stories refuse to stay buried.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) will present STORM: Ludington, a one-of-a-kind multimedia concert experience that brings the dramatic history of the Great Lakes to life through music, film, storytelling, and firsthand accounts of survival.

Beginning at 7 p.m. in LACA's Bob & Kay Neal Performance Hall, STORM: Ludington takes audiences beneath the waters of Lake Michigan and into the heart of some of the region's most compelling maritime stories. The production combines stunning underwater footage, rare interviews, historic photographs, eyewitness testimony, and live music to create an unforgettable evening that is equal parts concert, documentary, and theatrical experience.

Hosted by acclaimed maritime historian and diver Ric Mixter, the program explores Ludington's rich maritime heritage, from the city's lumbering boom to modern shipwreck discoveries that continue to capture the imagination of divers and historians alike. Among the stories featured is the tragic loss of the Adella Shores, a freighter loaded in Ludington for Morton Salt before disappearing into the waters of the Great Lakes.

Mixter is widely recognized as one of the nation's foremost authorities on Great Lakes shipwrecks. He was the first documentarian to tell the story of the Carl Bradley, Lake Michigan's largest shipwreck, and has personally descended in a submersible to visit the legendary wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

The evening also recounts one of the most remarkable rescue stories in Great Lakes history, featuring firsthand survivor testimony from the Novadoc, whose wreckage still rests near the dunes of Mears following one of the most devastating storms ever to strike Lake Michigan.

Accompanying the stories is renowned Great Lakes songwriter Dan Hall, whose original compositions provide a moving soundtrack to the images and accounts presented throughout the evening. His music transforms maritime history into a deeply personal and emotional experience, connecting audiences to the people, vessels, and communities whose stories continue to echo across the inland seas.

"STORM: Ludington" offers something truly unique for local residents and visitors alike. Whether you are fascinated by shipwrecks, love Great Lakes history, enjoy live music, or simply appreciate a powerful story well told, this immersive production promises an evening unlike anything else to visit Ludington this year.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. LACA members receive a $5 discount on advance tickets purchased in person at the art center. Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged.

Tickets are available at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, located at 107 S. Harrison St. in downtown Ludington, or online.

One night. One concert. Countless stories rising from the depths of the Great Lakes.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ludingtonartscenter.org

The Ludington Area Center for the Arts is a 501c3 Not for Profit that strives to foster a community where arts and culture bring us together, feed the creative spirit, and fuel community growth. Located at 107 S. Harrison St. in downtown Ludington, Mich. LACA offers monthly exhibits, with first Friday of the month opening receptions; and a wide assortment of performances and workshops. Art Shop 107 by LACA serves as the art center’s gift shop and features amazing original artwork from LACA members, perfect for gifts or home décor. Art center hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about LACA visit www.ludingtonartscenter.org or call 231-845-2787.