Central UP Events

“The Holocaust: History, Memory & Michigan Voices,” a new traveling exhibition created by the Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, is on display at Northern Michigan University’s Olson Library through April 30. An opening reception is scheduled at 4 p.m. Monday, March 9, in the Library Atrium. A smaller exhibit on art as resistance is also featured. “In many ways, the traveling exhibition is a condensed, portable version of the Zekelman Center,” said Ryan Bond, an NMU staff member who teaches a history of the Holocaust class and is a member of the center. “The content there used to be

Monday, March 9, 2026.  5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors. Bring your dinner, sit down, and enjoy this sensitive 2015 film inspired by the lives of two Danish painters. Alicia Vikander won an Oscar for her portrayal of Gerde Wegener, the wife of Lili Elbe (Eddie Redmayne in an Oscar-nominated performance), who was one of the first recipients of gender reassignment surgery. Rated R. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Due to recent snow days and lost rehearsal time, the Northern Michigan University Orchestra’s annual Children’s Concert has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, in Reynolds Recital Hall. This is a free event. “The music that the orchestra will perform is generally familiar to the families since it is based on film and musicals,” said conductor Barbara Rhyneer. “Plus, the folk fiddle tune ‘Blackberry Blossom’ offers a chance for the small kids to get up and dance.” Selections the orchestra will perform include “How to Train Your Dragon” by John Powell, “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd

Tuesdays & Fridays March (3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Preschool age children. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities for preschool age children and a loving adult. Siblings welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Tuesday, March 10, 2026.  12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Shiras Room.  A book group for readers, who love to cook. With a focus on food-themed literature, the group explores a variety of books from cookbooks to culinary memoirs. Participants can enjoy tasty treats inspired by the book of the month while sharing their thoughts and connecting with others who share their passion for both literature and food. This month’s book is Be Ready When Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten. No admission charge. For more information call 906-226-4303 or visit pwpl.info.  

Tuesday, March 10, 2026.  4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  All young wizards in 3rd-6th grade welcome. Delve deeper into the deep dark corners of Hogwarts and make Aragog a special home to keep him safe! And in case the Whopping Willow broke your wand, make a new wand. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Tuesdays, March (3, 10, 17, 24, 31) 2026.  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room.  Mediate Marquette and PWPL have collaborated to offer a weekly, in-person mindfulness meditation program. The sessions begin at 6:00 pm followed by a period of fellowship. Dr. Debra Smith, a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and psychologist, will deliver brief talks exploring various aspects of meditation and its impact on our lives. These talks will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, while longer meditation sessions are scheduled for the remaining Tuesdays. All individuals, regardless of skill level or spiritual affiliation,

Tuesday, March 10, 2026.  6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,  Peter White Public Library Shiras Room. Adults, Seniors, Teens. In this new programming series, seasoned published authors of various genres lead participants through writing exercises and workshops to hone their writerly talents. March’s Writer: Natalie Colby and Sara Daniels. Explore place-based writing, using your genre of choice (poetry, creative nonfiction, or fiction). Space is limited to 15 participants, so register early. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

The fifth annual YooperCON event at Northern Michigan University will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at the Northern Center. Hundreds of high school students from across the Upper Peninsula will converge on NMU’s campus for a day of cybersecurity education and career exploration.  Students will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn about internet safety, scam detection and the role of artificial intelligence in the digital landscape.  YooperCON 2026 will feature 10 unique cybersecurity education sessions: Ask AI Right; Career Q&A; Cyber Bingo; Metadata Mayhem; Gamer’s Challenge; Network Topo; Digital Vapor Trails; Teachable Machines; Hack A

Wednesdays, March (4, 11, 18, 25), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays for newborns to 17 months with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.