U.P. FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL AT NMU

Thursday 5, 2009
MARQUETTE, Mich.—The second Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival will be held March 12-22 at Northern Michigan University. It will include music, dancing, craft demonstrations, workshops, a folklore symposium and regional cuisine.

The festival is presented by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, an on-campus museum dedicated to preserving and presenting U.P. history and culture. A detailed schedule of events can be found at www.nmu.edu/beaumier. A general listing follows. All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

Thursday, March 12: Opening concert featuring Celtic duo John Williams and Dean Magraw, along with local talent, 7 p.m. in the Forest Roberts Theatre. Admission charged.

Friday, March 13: Premiere of Ojibwe Birch Bark Wigwam documentary by NMU sociology professor and filmmaker Michael Loukinen, 7 p.m. in Jamrich Hall 102. Donations encouraged.

Tuesday, March 17: Ethnic dance lessons led by the NMU International Dancers, 7 p.m. in the Superior Room of the University Center. No experience or partner required.

Friday, March 20: Upper Peninsula Folklore Symposium, 1-5:30 p.m. in Mead Auditorium in the West Science Building. The order of presentations is “Rag Rug Weaving in the Upper Peninsula,” “Heikki Lunta: An Original Upper Michigan Finnish Folk Hero,” “Nordic Legends in the New World: The Case of Big Erick Erickson,” “Sounding Like a Yooper: The Idea of a Regional Dialect,” “Where Did the Cudighi Come From?” and “Evolution of the Yooper Identity.” Also on Friday, March 20, a “Kick Your Heels Funky-Folk Dance” will be held in the Explorer Rooms of the University Center from 7-11:30 p.m. Featured bands are Grass Monkey, Conga Se Menne and The Pasi Cats.

Saturday, March 21: Traditional arts and craft presentations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Peter White Lounge of the University Center. Demonstrations include chainsaw carving, ski maker, Norwegian Krokbragd weaving, barn wood furniture and spoon carving, among others. Storytelling and music performances will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Center Pioneer Rooms. Storyteller James Couling of Twilight Walking Tours will be followed by musical artists Maple Sugar Folk, Tanya Stanaway and Dave Berry, and a bones workshop with Randy Seppala.

Sunday, March 22: Ethnic Folk Dance, noon to 3:30 in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center. Featured performers: Bette Premo and the Front Parlor Dance Band, Marquette Folk Dancers, Wil Kilpela and Friends, Marquette Folk Dancers and The Thimbleberry Band. Traditional arts and craft presentations (same as Saturday) will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Peter White Lounge.

Kristi Evans
9062271015
kevans@nmu.edu
News Director