Keep It In The UP!

PWPL Presents: Friend-raiser: Misery
2026-02-16 18:00 - 2026-02-18 20:00 UTC | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Monday-Wednesday, February 16-18, 2026.
6:00 p.m.-8 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Community Room.
Adults, Seniors. Some people will just kill for a good book. PWPL collaborates with Iron Arts Theatre to bring Stephen King’s classic story of obsession, love, and murder to the Community Room stage. Local favorites Jessica Red Bays and Adam Maslak take on the iconic roles of Annie Wilkes and writer Paul Sheldon. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a little Misery this Valentine’s Day! PLEASE NOTE: This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $5 and can be picked up at the Circulation Desk starting Monday, January 5, 2026. You must have a ticket in order to attend the event, which is a fundraiser for PWPL and Iron Arts Theatre. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Preschool Storytime
2026-02-17 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-02-20 10:00 - 10:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Tuesdays & Fridays February (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

PWPL Presents: Tech Coaching for Seniors
2026-02-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Tuesdays and Thursdays, February (10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26), 2026.
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Heritage Room.
Need help with the settings on your phone? Want to download the downtown parking app? Learn how to make your electronic devices work the way you want them to with the help of Christine Ault, retired teacher and librarian. Call the Reference Desk at 906-226-4311 to schedule your 30-minute session. Please charge your electronic device before each session, and bring passwords with you. No fees.

PWPL Presents: PWPL Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-02-17 17:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Meeting begins at 5:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library, George Shiras III Room.
Regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Peter White Public Library. The meeting is open to all. Meeting agenda, materials, and remote attendance link are available on the library’s website: pwpl.info. For more information call 906-226-4303.

PWPL Presents: Home School Chapter Book Discussion
2026-02-18 01:00 - 14:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Teen Zone.
Home School Teens, Ages 11 & up, are welcome to join Amanda in the Teen Zone for bi-weekly book discussions. We will be discussing Uprising by Jennifer A. Nielsen. For youth ages 11 & up. No admission charge. For more information or to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at pierce@pwpl.info, visit pwpl.info, or find Peter White Public Library Teen Services on Instagram or Facebook

PWPL Presents: Baby Storytime
2026-02-18 10:00 - 10:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Wednesdays February (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.

PWPL Presents: Family Day & Family Night at Peter White: Blocks, Building and Towers
2026-02-18 13:30 - 18:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Family Day 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Family Night 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.
Families with youth of all ages, welcome to our brand-new monthly family themed drop-in library days! This first event will be all about building and towers – different building materials, appropriate for children of varying ages, will be throughout the kids’ room for families to enjoy building (and knocking down!) together. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with them. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Teens Cook!
2026-02-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Wednesday, February 18, 2026:
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to register for a cooking class at the Marquette Food Coop. We will be making Southern Comfort Food:
Gumbo and Rice – This class will contain meat. Very hands-on! Cooking class will take place at the Marquette Food Co-Op. Online registration required. For more information, to check the status of the program, and to register, call 906-226-4321 or visit pwpl.info.

Winter Research Day
2026-02-19 00:00 - 23:59 | Jamrich Hall, NMU Campus, Jamrich Hall 1100, Marquette, Michigan
The Northern Michigan University College of Graduate Studies and Research will host its first Winter Research Day on Thursday, Feb. 19. This event is free and open to the public. It will be held in room 1100 John X. Jamrich Hall and the adjacent atrium.

Winter Research Day features the following: poster presentations for all levels from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jamrich atrium; an undergraduate three-minute presentation (3MP) from 10-11:30 a.m. in JXJ 1100; a workshop for fellowships and scholarships abroad from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Olson Library atrium; a graduate student three-minute thesis (3MT) competition from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in JXJ 1100; and a faculty scholarship “buzz session” from 4-5 p.m. in JXJ 1100.

The buzz session will feature five-minute presentations on various research disciplines from faculty members Z.Z. Lehmberg, Michelle Grace-Williams, Robbie Goodrich, Jelili Adebiyi and Vikash Kumar.

Attendees will have the opportunity to come and go as they please for the poster session, 3MP, and the scholarly buzz session. For 3MT, attendees must arrive before the doors close in order to be admitted.

All NMU students are eligible to present their research at the event, provided they register by Feb. 6. Those who participate in the poster presentations, 3MP and 3MT will have the opportunity to win prize money for first place, second place and people’s choice.

This event is hosted in partnership with the Committee on Internationalization (COI) and with support from SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU. Winter Research Day is intended to broaden participation in research, creative and scholarly activities for all NMU students, providing a valuable experience that prepares students for graduate school and future careers.

NMU Hosts First Winter Research Day
2026-02-19 00:00 - 23:59 | Jamrich Hall, NMU Campus, Jamrich Hall 1100, Marquette, Michigan

PWPL Presents: Third Thursday Roundtable
2026-02-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Heritage Room.
Share tips and tricks with other android and Apple cell phone users. Drop in anytime between Noon and 1 PM. No registration required. Bring your cellphone and a friend. Contact the Reference Desk at 906-226-4311 if you have questions.

Savvy Caregiver Workshop
2026-02-19 13:30 - 15:30 | MI
Registration is underway for Savvy Caregiver, a nationally recognized educational training program for family members caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or memory loss and are living at home.
Savvy Caregiver is designed to give caregivers relevant knowledge, skills, and mastery to support the person living with dementia and to take care of themselves. Topics include information about Alzheimer’s and related dementias, the role of confusion and its effects on behavior, the stages of dementia, and how to keep the person engaged and involved in daily activities. Decision making for difficult issues caregivers often face and caregiver self-care exercises are also highlighted. Savvy Caregiver participants report increased confidence and ability to manage their caregiving, as well as lower depression and burden.
The workshop has 6 weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours, and will be held on Thursdays, January 15 – February 19, 2026 from 1:30 – 3:30 pm Eastern, via Zoom.
Savvy Caregiver is offered by Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP). There is no charge for this workshop, but registration is required. Class size is limited. Registration ends when the class is full or on December 15.
To register, visit www.upcap.org (click on Events) or dial 2-1-1 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EST) for assistance.

PWPL Presents: ¡Hola Español! - Spanish Club
2026-02-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Thursday, February 19, 2026.
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Great Room.
Join us for a fun and interactive introduction into the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries! Kids will learn basic Spanish vocabulary through games, stories, and handson activities. Open to kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Cultivating Care, Compassion, and Connection
2026-02-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Fridays, February (6, 13, 20, 27) 2026.
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library, Heritage Room.
In partnership with several area organizations, this hour-long event offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and build meaningful connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness in our world. Each week, a different organization takes the lead, with experienced educators and leaders facilitating. This rotating format ensures diverse perspectives and practices while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. For more information and to check on the status of the program, call 906-226-4303 or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Global Cinema: Finland’s Fallen Leaves
2026-02-20 12:00 - 14:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Friday, February 20, 2026.
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Community Room.
Adults, Seniors, Teens. For Valentine’s Day, PWPL screens this Oscar-nominated Finnish romantic comedy/drama about the fates of two star-crossed lovers in Helsinki. Not rated. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: LEGO Club.
2026-02-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Fridays February (6, 20, 27), 2026.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Great Room.
Meet other LEGO enthusiasts and build LEGO projects with the library’s LEGO blocks. Family friendly, children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

Upper Michigan Ice Races
2026-02-21 00:00 - 23:59 | MI
150 West Johnson Lake Road, Gwinn, MI 49841

Dates: January 3, 2026 – March 14, 2026

Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Saturday

Get Ready For This Winter’s Biggest Adrenaline Rush: The Upper Michigan Ice Races

Are you ready to take your thrill-seeking to the next level? Join the Upper Michigan Ice Racing Association for an action-packed series of Weekly Ice Races held on Saturdays, where dirt bikes and quads tear up the ice in a battle of speed, skill, and sheer power!

The Upper Michigan Ice Races are open to the public for spectating or bring your best ORV to join the competition and race to the top! The raceway is conveniently located off Snowmobile Trail 8, making Saturdays the best day to come and experience the races and explore the trails in Gwinn and Marquette County.

Saturday Schedule: Day Races

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Gates open for Registration & for Pre-Registered Participants

10:00 AM: Spectator Gates Open

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Practice & warm-up runs

11:30 AM – 6:00 PM: Ice Races

January 31 & February 28: Night Races

11:00 AM: Registration Opens

4:00 PM: Youth Races

6:00 PM – Midnight: Adult Races

Whether you’re on the track or in the stands, the roar of engines, the spray of ice, and the fierce competition will have you coming back week after week. Invite your friends, family, and fellow racers for the coolest race event in town! Be sure to check the Michigan Ice Races website for updates and more details!

NMU Presents 'A Streetcar Named Desire'
2026-02-21 00:00 - 2026-02-28 23:59 | James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, Michgian, 49855
Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 19-21 and 26-28, in the Panowski Black Box Theatre. The show will be directed by assistant professor Kaitlyn Frotton.
First performed in 1947, “A Streetcar Named Desire” is about the fragile Southern belle Blanche DuBois. She moves in with her sister Stella and brutish brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski in New Orleans, leading to a tragic clash of illusion and reality, desire and class. The play explores persisting themes of mental instability, desire versus destruction, racism and oppression, misogyny and sexual assault.
“I feel there is no reason to revisit a ‘classic’ unless the theme holds relevance in modern society,” Frotton explained. “Domestic violence, misogyny and racism are still very much alive in 2026, so very little needs to be altered for contemporary ears and eyes to connect to it. A work of art can only maintain the label ‘classic’ if its themes are universal, and in this case, they unfortunately are.”
Frotton said the audience’s close proximity to the stage in the Panowski Black Box Theatre, as opposed to a larger venue, will be an advantage for this production.
“The benefits of performing in a black box theatre is that you can often get up close and personal with the performers and other patrons; no one has anywhere to really ‘hide.’ This can feel intense, but also reminds us that theatre is not theatre without an energetic exchange from actor to audience, audience to actor, actor to actor, and patron to patron.”
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. each night of the run, with a sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee at 1 p.m. Feb. 21, and a regular 1 p.m. matinee Feb. 28.
“The actors and student designers have put so much work and effort into this show. I’m unbelievably proud of their bravery and respect for each other,” Frotton added. “They are collaborative, respectful of one another and extremely talented, so that makes directing this challenging piece really exciting.”
This performance is for mature audiences only. Tickets for the nightly showings and the Feb. 28 matinee are $25 for the general public; $22 for NMU staff, seniors and military; $15 for youth; and $5 for NMU students. Admission to the Theatre For All matinee showings is “pay as you may.” Tickets for this event can be purchased at tickets.nmu.edu.

NMU Hosts Regional Science Olympiad
2026-02-21 09:00 - 15:00 | NMU Science Building, Marquette, Michigan
Northern Michigan University’s Seaborg Center will host the annual Michigan Region I Science Olympiad tournament from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in the NMU Science Building and Weston Hall. The competition typically draws about 300 middle and high school students from across the Upper Peninsula, who will participate in 46 events.

The highest-placing teams in each division will advance to the state tournament, scheduled for April at Michigan State University.

Science Olympiad is a nationally recognized co-curricular program designed to spark interest in science, engineering, and health-related fields. Its mission is to strengthen the future STEM workforce by encouraging diverse student participation in science and technology courses, promoting collaboration and critical thinking, and offering hands-on learning experiences developed in partnership with educators and industry professionals. The program also emphasizes mentorship and celebrates exceptional student and teacher achievements.

Participants gain practical experience through a variety of challenges that emphasize design, analysis, and problem-solving while reinforcing the importance of effective teamwork. Each year’s events are updated to reflect advancements and evolving topics across disciplines such as genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology.

Marquette Delegation to visit Kajaani, Finland in June 2026
2026-02-21 10:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Informational Meeting to be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026
The Marquette Area Sister Cities Partnership in association with the City of Marquette will be sending a delegation to Kajaani, Finland in June 2026. An informational meeting will be held on Saturday, February 21, at 10:00am in the Shiras Room of Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front St. in Marquette. The Shiras Room is located on the second level of the library. While in Finland, delegates will stay with a host family and visit sites of interest in Kajaani, Finland and the surrounding area. Additional information about the program and an application to join the delegation will be available at the informational meeting. The cost of the trip including airfare, ground transportation and official delegation events is approximately $2,800.00 and is the responsibility of each delegate. Currently, spaces to be a part of the delegation are LIMITED. Marquette’s Sister City program with Kajaani, Finland began in the early 1990s.
The program focuses on cultural understanding, international friendship, and sharing of ideas. For additional information about the delegation, please contact Marty Eskelinen (906-360-3757) or Randy Jensen (906250-2788). For more information about the Marquette Area Sister Cities Partnership, visit www.mqtsistercity.org.

*The application for delegation participation will be made available on the website for those unable to attend the informational meeting on February 21.

PWPL Presents: Prom Dress Swap
2026-02-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Saturday February 21, 2026.
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Community Room.
All students in grades 9 to 12 are welcome. Looking for a Prom Dress, come to the
Annual PWPL Prom Dress Swap. The Swap will be open 10 am – 4 pm, to anyone looking for a prom dress. We will be accepting dresses until Friday, February 20. Dresses can be dropped off in the Teen Zone. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at apierce@pwpl.info, and visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Saturday Storytime
2026-02-21 11:00 - 11:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Saturdays, February (7, 14, 21, 28), 2026.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Peter White Public Library Great Room.
Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays geared towards babies through preschool with a loving adult. Older siblings and older children welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Art with Ella
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Saturdays, February (7, 21), 2026.
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Great Room.
Join NMU Art Education major Ella and create art! Kids of all ages are welcome – the
techniques used will be adaptable for kids of all ages and abilities. All supplies provided, drop-in program. Special Countdown to Valentine’s Day project on Saturday Feb. 7. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with them. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

Masquerade Midwinter Gala 2026
2026-02-21 18:30 - 23:00 | Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, 123 W Baraga Ave, Marquette, MI, 49855, United States
February 21st, 7:00 to 11:00 PM
Doors at 6:30
Upper Peninsula Children’s MuseumJoin Marquette Fringe at the U.P. Children’s Museum for the 2026 Midwinter Gala. Expect magic and mystery with our Masquerade theme. Don your finest evening wear and join us for a night of live music, art installations, cocktails, and the opportunity to support your favorite local performing arts organization! Bring your own mask, or make one at our mask creation station.

The Marquette Regional History Center presents the Special Exhibit: The U.P. Through 250 Artifacts
2026-02-23 00:00 - 2027-01-02 23:59 | Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring Street, Marquette, Michigan
February 23, 2026-January 2, 2027
This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from our permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following World War II, Ishpeming’s Gossard garment factory went on strike for better wages. Objects rarely on display include the medal awarded to a local Spanish American War nurse and a hand sewn battle flag brought home by a soldier from the War of 1812. Visit marquettehistory.org or call 906.226.3571 for more info.

PWPL Presents: D&D Junior Campaign #1: Grades 4th & 5th
2026-02-23 16:30 - 18:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Mondays, February (9, 16, 23), 2026.
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Great Room.
In-person registration at the Youth Services Desk required to claim your spot in a fantasy adventure! Registration opens on January 12th. Registration will be for all 3 sessions of campaign #1. Experienced and first-time players welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

NMU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Free Concert
2026-02-23 19:30 | NMU Reynolds Recital Hall, Marquette, Michigan
The Northern Michigan University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, directed by Steven Riley, will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in Reynolds Recital Hall. NMU assistant professor Theresa Camilli will provide piano accompaniment.

The concert’s theme is “Musical Perspectives and Monumental Moments: A Musical Tribute to the 250th Anniversary of The United States.” Riley said it will explore the 250-year history of our nation through various perspectives and cultures, recognizing that the most enduring monuments are not made of stone, but of the songs and spirits of the many cultures of people who are stewards of the land.

The concert will be presented in two parts with the Symphonic Band opening with two pieces featuring British folk songs: “Three Ayres from Gloucester” by Hugh M. Stuart and “Polly Oliver” by Thomas Root. These pieces highlight the influence of British folk music during the birth of the United States. Other pieces include “Amparito Roca,” written by Spanish bandleader Jaime Texidor, and “Rushmore” by Alfred Reed, which showcase a broad array of cultures that influenced music in the United States.

The second part of the concert will open with “Children’s March” by Percy Grainger. Riley describes this piece as a monument in American band literature; one that represents the whimsical, charming and imaginative idealism of childhood, reflecting the United States’ young age compared to most other countries. The concert will then conclude with the piece “Of Our New Day Begun” by Omar Thomas, which reflects on themes of violence, justice and remembrance within the nation’s history.
