MARQUETTE, Mich.—The State of Michigan has designated Oct. 4 as French Canadian Heritage Day. The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University and the City of Marquette will honor the occasion with a series of related events over two days.

A concert by the Quebecois folk group Mil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in Reynolds Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Mil will conduct workshops at local schools on Friday, Oct. 4. That evening, the City of Marquette and the Beaumier Center will host a French Canadian family history event and folk dance. The family history event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Marquette Arts and Culture Center (MACC), located in the lower level of the Peter White Public Library. The event is open to the public, but those of French Canadian heritage are encouraged to bring family photo albums and genealogical information to share with others at the event. There will also be French Canadian food items to enjoy.

The folk dance begins at 7:30 p.m., with music provided by Mil with caller Dan Gorno.  The event is free to the public, but a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $1 for students is appreciated.

Mil’s lineup features Claude Méthé (fiddle, vocals, tenor guitar, mandolin), Dana Whittle (guitar, vocals, accordion, harmonica, foot percussion) and Denise Levac (flute, whistle, vocals).