Keep It In The UP!

League of Women Voters of Marquette County Meeting
2024-12-04 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | MI
The League of Women Voters of Marquette County will hold its membership meeting on Wednesday, December 4th at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be held in Studio 1, lower level of the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front, St. Marquette. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Marquette County residents are welcome to attend. For more information, send an email message to lwvmqtco@gmail.com.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

NMU Jazz Concert
2024-12-04 19:30 - 20:30 | MI
The Northern Michigan University jazz ensembles will present their second concert of the fall season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert will feature both the NMU Jazz Band and the NMU Jazz Combo.
The NMU Jazz Band is a standard big band with five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and a rhythm section. This group will be playing a variety of material, including standards by Neil Hefti (Cute) and Oscar Pettiford (Blues in the Closet), a Beatles tune (Blackbird), and a crazy funk tune by saxophonist Jeff Coffin titled The Mad Hatter Rides Again. Senior Nick Wegrzyn will be featured as a student conductor on Jeff Jarvis’ Critical Mass, and the whole audience will be encouraged to participate in an arrangement of Take the A Train that the band will put together live on stage.
The combo is a sextet this semester, with three horns and a rhythm section. It will perform a mixture of original compositions and arrangements by the group members.

Home for the Holidays
2024-12-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-06 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-12 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-14 19:30 - 21:30 | MI
Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together.
“Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing the production. “Everyone has their own memories, traditions and family experiences they really love or love to hate. I’ve been wanting to create something like this for a while, and I tried as much as I could to include some diverse stories as well.”
As an example, Johnson said MJ Opulencia, a student from the Philippines who hasn’t been home for the holidays in four years, choreographed a dance that means a great deal to her and reflects her country’s customs. There is also Irish step dancing, clogging, tap, traditional Christmas hymns and classic carols, and a Sankta Lucia number choreographed by student Abigail Foskuhl.
Johnson also selected other dance students with previous choreography experience to assist with the production. Don’Tae Mitchell worked on “Grown Up Christmas List” and the Jackson Five’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Gianna Daprai developed a number that “encapsulates the craziness and chaos that comes from her holiday family dinners,” and Emma Houston choreographed a song where all of the students are old men tap dancing.
“It’s a quite an eclectic group, and they’re all having a great time,” Johnson added. “It’s been quite a process, but it’s coming together nicely. I’ve spent the past three to five years thinking of a show like this that I could put together and now it’s finally coming to fruition. I’m grateful I’ve been given this opportunity, and I hope that people can appreciate it and find their own little stories tied in among all of those we’re telling in this production.”
Before the curtain rises on this family-friendly event, Santa Claus will visit the Forest Roberts Theatre lobby for one hour before each performance. Photos with the jolly old elf are encouraged.
Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. throughout the run, with a 1 p.m. Theatre for All sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, Dec. 7, and an additional 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Dec. 14. Tickets are $25 for the general public; $22 for NMU employees, seniors and military; $15 for youth; and $5 for NMU students. They can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com.

FIRST LEGO League Qualifier at NMU
2024-12-07 09:00 - 16:00 | MI
Northern Michigan University’s Seaborg Center will host its annual FIRST LEGO League Challenge Qualifier on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Jamrich Hall. There will be 24 upper elementary teams (about 500 students) competing. Media are welcome to cover this STEM event, which brings many visitors to campus from the local community and larger central U.P. area.
The qualifying tournament begins with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Robot matches and judging will follow throughout the day. The event will conclude around 4 p.m. with an awards ceremony to celebrate teams advancing to the state tournament.

Meditate Marquette Presents: A Year of Mindful Living
2024-12-07 10:00 - 11:30 | MI
Saturday, December 7, 2024. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Peter White Public Library, George Shiras III Room. Four mindfulness meditation and yoga teachers invite you to engage in a year of mindful living. Each month, one of the teachers will present a topic that addresses the different dimensions where we can practice mindfulness and presence. The intent is for us to cultivate mindfulness, care, and well-being individually and in our love, business, and social relationships. These are drop-in sessions, although committing to a full year is a way to build a consistent mindfulness practice. For more information and to check on the status of the program, call 906-226-4303 or visit www.pwpl.info.

Home to the Holidays
2024-12-07 19:30 - 21:30 | MI

Celebrate Finnish Christmas and Independence
2024-12-08 14:00 - 17:00 | MI
Celebrate Finnish Christmas and Independence on Dec.. 8

A program of music and delicious Finnish food to celebrate Finnish Christmas and Independence Day is planned for Sunday, December 8, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Magnuson Hall. Messiah is located at 305 West Magnetic in Marquette.

All are welcome to attend. The program is presented by the Lake Superior Chapter of the Finlandia Foundation National. President Ron Hill will begin with a short review of how the Finns have celebrated their Independence Day on December 6th since 1917.

Musicial selections will include Oscar Forsman playing his accordion, Tanja Stanaway leading singing of familiar Finnish carols (words and translations provided!), and Maija Niemi will perform on her violin with accompaniement.

There will be kahvi ja pulla (coffee and cardamom bread), kropsua (oven coffee cake) with lingonberries,and juustoa (Finn cheese) and herring on the table as well. Members are asked to bring other Finnish specialties for the table. They need not be homemade. There will be door prizes,

Membership in the Chapter is $10 per year per family. See Membership Chair Tanja Stanaway to pay dues and receive a membership card.

For more information, please call 906-226-7085 or 906-4851971.

Heather Bell Cookbook Release-Mama Bell's Big Family Cookbook
2024-12-09 18:30 - 20:00 | MI
Heather Bell Cookbook Release-Mama Bell’s Big Family Cookbook
Monday, December 9, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library Community Room. Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors. Join viral cooking and lifestyle influencer Heather Bell for a night of cookbook chat. Bell shares family stories and recipes from her recently released Mama Bell’s Big Family Cookbook. You’ll leave with full hearts and hungry bellies. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

MARQUETTE CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS
2024-12-11 10:00 - 12:00 | MI
Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs will hold her next community office hours on
Wednesday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Shiras Room, on the top level of
Peter White Public Library (Front Street side). The meeting is intended to provide an
informal opportunity to discuss issues within the community, and to give citizens the
opportunity for direct dialogue with City staff about interests and concerns.

NMU Theatre and Dance Presents Holiday Soiree
2024-12-11 18:00 - 19:30 | MI
Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present its Holiday Soirée celebration and fundraiser for student scholarships on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The festive event kicks off with a holiday buffet and live auction from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Panowski Black Box Theatre, followed by student and guest-star performances from 7:30-9. There will also be a special visit from Santa Claus.
Director Kristen Beth Ludwig said last year’s inaugural Holiday Soirée was such a success that a 2.0 version was planned to close out this semester. Marquette natives and NMU seniors Michael Ahlstrom and John Thomson will return as hosts before they pass the torch to other students, but the musical numbers and set will be new.
“We take whatever set remains in the Black Box Theatre from the last play and use that in the soiree,” Ludwig said. “Last year, we were fortunate that the play was Clybourne Park, so the set was a house and easy to use in the context of opening the doors and inviting everyone to join in a holiday party at our home. But this year’s was Frankenstein, with movable platforms. So we’re working with those for a fun new concept this year.
“We’ve got some fun new songs that we’ve throw in; some you’ve probably heard before and others you maybe haven’t. A lot of work goes into a one-night-only performance like this, but such events are actually quite common in the entertainment industry.”
The soirée will help NMU Theatre and Dance students defray travel and other costs associated with opportunities to advance their craft. These include auditioning for work they will embark on after graduation, attending the All-in-One Conference (A1 Conference) in New York, and participating in a regional festival in Madison that is part of the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
“The KCACTF is a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet other students from all over the region and compete with them for scholarships,” Ludwig added. “They also participate in workshops with different industry professionals from all over the country, and some based internationally. But all of these activities cost extra money on top of the financial commitments required for college itself. We just want to create access to these valuable experiences.”
Tickets for the Holiday Soirée are $100 per individual, or $700 for a table of eight. They are available at nmu.universitytickets.com. For more on the cast and production crew, visit nmu.edu/theatreanddance/holiday-soiree-2024.

Marquette - NMU Theatre and Dance presents "Holiday Soiree Celebration and Fundraiser"
2024-12-11 18:00 - 21:00 | James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, Michgian, 49855

Superior Pipes & Drums & Friends Holiday Concert
2024-12-11 18:30 - 19:30 | MI
Superior Pipes & Drums & Friends Holiday Concert
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Peter White Public Library Community Room. Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors. Join PWPL in celebrating the holiday season with some Scottish highlands flare. Bagpipes, drums, and yuletide cheer! No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

Marquette Regional History Center presents: Holiday Open House
2024-12-11 18:30 - 20:00 | MI
Marquette Regional History Center presents: Holiday Open House
Wednesday, December 11, 6:30 p.m.
Our annual holiday open house has been cheering the community since 1948. We gather and greet our neighbors and share music and some holiday surprises.. This year we will feature a local holiday collection of crèches (nativity scenes). The display will be featured along with a short talk by the collector, Carol Margrif. Enjoy light refreshments. Free event, donations appreciated. For more information visit marquettehistory.org

21st Annual Celebrity Art Auction
2024-12-12 17:30 - 22:00 | MI
21st Annual Celebrity Art Auction
A non-traditional art auction fundraising event for the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Viewing starts at 5:30 p.m.
Auction to follow at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy works of art by some of the community’s most unexpected artists.
Sample an array of appetizers, sip wine and beer. Free Admission. 21 and older event.

Winter Wonderland Walk Celebration
2024-12-12 18:00 - 20:00 | MI
Winter Wonderland Walk Celebration
Thursday, December 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library. Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors. The Winter Wonderland trees will be lit. Cookies and hot chocolate will be overflowing in the Huron Mountain Gallery. In the Community Room, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Big Lake Acoustic will be performing a holiday concert of all your favorite carols and songs. Come revel in the spirit of the season at PWPL. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

Dickinson Hospitals’ Foundation Love Lights Ceremony
2024-12-16 17:30 - 18:30 | MI
Dickinson Hospitals’ Foundation Love Lights Ceremony Celebrates
Long-time Hospital employee Julie Skowronek
This year, we celebrate the life of Julie Skowronek at our annual Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday, December 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson in the hospital’s main lobby.
Julie’s husband, Jim Skowronek said, “My family and I are thankful to have the 2024 Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony dedicated to Julie’s memory. She loved working at the hospital, helping the patients, and interacting with her co-workers. After 34 years of service and dedication to Dickinson Healthcare, I know she is very proud to receive this honor.”
Julie’s family and friends will welcome guests, offer a short memorial address, and serve as official tree lighters for this year’s event.
Marshfield Michigan Region President Mandy Shelast shared, “We are honored to celebrate the life of Julie Skowronek at this year’s Love Lights Ceremony. Julie worked for the hospital for many years, and we are proud to express our love and appreciation for all she has done for our organization and community.”
We invite the community to attend this special celebration and honor and remember your loved ones, both past and present. We will have music, complimentary beverages, and cookies served after the ceremony.
For more information about the event and how to purchase a Remembrance Charm for your loved ones, please call (906) 776-5521.

Merry Movie Mayhem
2024-12-16 18:00 - 20:00 | MI
Merry Movie Mayhem
Monday, December 16, 2024. 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Teens, Family Friendly. The voting is over! The ballots have been counted! The winner of PWPL’s Christmas movie matchups will be revealed! Join us for an evening of Christmas treats, ugly Christmas sweaters, and a screening of the Merry Movie Mayhem champion. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

Artists & Their Art: Michelangelo Part 3
2024-12-17 18:30 - 20:30 | MI
Artists & Their Art: Michelangelo Part 3
Tuesday, December 17, 2024. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Peter White Public Library Zoom. Adults, Seniors, Teens. Peter White Public Library hosts celebrated art historian Ellen Longsworth for this virtual series focused on famous artists, artistic movements, and art. For this event, Ellen will continue her exploration of the works of Michelangelo. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info for Zoom meeting information.

Bright Beginnings: A Community Celebration at the Marquette Commons
2025-01-04 18:00 - 19:00 | MI
Bright Beginnings: A Community Celebration at the Marquette Commons
Saturday, January 4th from 6:00–7:00 PM
The City of Marquette, in partnership with the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, invites the community to join in celebrating the arrival of the new year at Bright Beginnings, a free and festive event at the Marquette Commons on Saturday, January 4th from 6:00–7:00 PM.
This family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities designed to spark joy and community spirit:
* Discover Oscillation, an interactive public artwork that responds to your movements with colors and sounds, on display through January 5th.
* Warm Up with complimentary hot cocoa around cozy community fire pits.
* Celebrate with glowing surprise guests and by sharing your hopes for the new year.
* Experience a spectacular, fire-fueled, public art performance by the Lucid Fyre Bellators from 6:30–7:00 PM.
Glowsticks will be provided by the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own glow gear to help light up the night.
The Oscillation artwork is presented by the City of Marquette Public Art Commission, with support from Travel Marquette, the Marquette Downtown Development Authority, and grant funding from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.. The artwork was designed by The Urban Conga and tour produced by Creos. Learn more about Oscillation here: https://mqtcompass.com/blog/public-art/oscillation/
The Winter Light Festival was produced to showcase the warmth and vibrancy of Marquette during the darkest month of the year, featuring illuminated art installations, live performances, creative gatherings, and much more in its inaugural year.
Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to Bright Beginnings and help illuminate the way to a bright and joyful new year!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, January 4th
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
Location: Marquette Commons
Cost: Free and open to all

MARQUETTE CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS
2025-01-08 10:00 - 12:00 | MI
Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs will hold her next community office hours on
Wednesday, January 8 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Shiras Room, on the top level of Peter
White Public Library (Front Street side). The meeting is intended to provide an informal
opportunity to discuss issues within the community, and to give citizens the opportunity
for direct dialogue with City staff about interests and concerns.

League of Women Voters of Marquette County Membership Meeting
2025-01-08 18:30 - 20:00 | MI
The League of Women Voters of Marquette County will hold its membership meeting on Wednesday, January 8th at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be held in Studio 1, lower level of the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front, St. Marquette. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Marquette County residents are welcome to attend. For more information, send an email message to lwvmqtco@gmail.com.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry
2025-01-09 10:00 - 11:30 | MI
Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift are partnering with Feeding America West Michigan to host the first Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry of 2025. Taking place on Thursday, January 9 Food distribution will begin at 10:00am and continue while supplies last or until 11:30am. Food will be available for approximately 550 families. Due to changes with Feeding America West Michigan, proxy pickup will be limited. This will be a drive-thru event with directions given by parking lot attendants. Guests are asked to remain in their cars and have adequate space prepared in their trunk or back seat in advance to allow the distribution team to place food boxes directly in the vehicle. Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift are located at 219 Silver Creek Road in Harvey. Businesses or organizations that are interested in supporting these monthly mobile food pantries are encouraged to call 906.249.1715 for more information.

Second Thursday Creativity Series
2025-01-09 17:00 - 19:00 | MI
Princesses and Pirates
Join us for our Second Thursday Creativity Series at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum:“Princesses and Pirates”Thursday, January 9, 2025Experience hands-on craft activities, and FREE Culver’s Frozen Custard. FREE to participate.

"Alice in Wonderland"
2025-01-14 08:00 - 17:00 | MI
Northern Michigan University’s CO/LAB Dance Company will present Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience, described as a “mesmerizing whirlwind of color and movement that weaves through the audience like a living, breathing dreamscape.” The performance is unique in that it will take place in an intimate downtown Marquette space that allows the audience to be more actively engaged, interacting with the dancers and scenery elements.
“Immersive theater experiences are the next big thing,” said CO/LAB Artistic Director Karina Johnson. “They’re taking over New York City, L.A. and many other places across the country. I believe we might be one of the first universities to attempt it. It requires a lot of teamwork and planning to pull it off, and we have a very large team of students collaborating on all aspects of this show, which is really exciting. I think it’s something the community should not miss, because it’s on the forefront of where theatrical art is right now.”
The performance will be held at 145 W. Washington Street, on the second floor (the former Vera Bar). Showtimes are at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 30-Feb. 1 and Feb. 6-8, with Saturday matinees both weeks at 1 and 3 p.m.
The immersive Alice in Wonderland is distinct in plot and presentation from previous versions depicted in television and film. It features an original score by Dominic Mrakovcich, NMU Theatre and Dance sound and media supervisor/engineer, and contemporary ballet choreography by Johnson.
“Sometimes contemporary ballet is more versatile for telling a story, more relatable to an audience and a little easier to manipulate amongst an audience,” she added. “It seems every student in the department has their hands on this project in one way or another. Charlotte Somerville, our McNair Scholar, spent all summer researching how to properly light costumes worn by performers. That’s a new kind of technology that our students have never used before.”
A Wildcat Performing Arts Academy Pre-Performance Workshop for ages 12 and under will be held in advance of the sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, Feb. 1.
“I’m excited because the kids are going to be able to experiment with lighting and sound, and interact with the performers and production crew,” said Jalina McClain, stage management supervisor and Wildcat Performing Arts Academy managing director. “Charlotte will explain the process related to LEDs and costumes at a level appropriate for those ages. They’ll also be able to see the light and audio boards—how they’re used during the production and how pushing certain buttons creates different effects—and have an opportunity to dance in different lighting to view it from the performers’ perspective. It’s going to be a different kind of learning experience.
“A lot of young kids who aren’t exposed to theater as much don’t know all that goes into a show behind the scenes. This lets them know there are other options, outside of being a performer on stage. They can make costumes, light the dancers or create mushroom chairs for the set. Because this show is so tech-heavy, I think it’s a good opportunity to showcase those aspects.”
Tickets for the production are $25 for the general public; $22 for NMU employees, seniors and military; $15 for youth; and $5 for NMU students. They can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com.

Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail Assoc. General Membership Meeting
2025-01-16 18:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
The Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail Association will host a roundtable discussion with leaders representing area trails at its next general membership meeting, which is open to the public, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in the community room at Peter White Public Library. Representatives of RAMBA (Range Area Mountain Bike Association), the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Friends of Harlow Lake, the Noquemanon Trail Network and the North Country Trail will participate.

Attendees will learn about the diverse trail networks in our area, hear from passionate trail advocates and explore volunteer opportunities to get involved. The meeting will also include North Country Trail updates and information.

Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail Talk
2025-01-16 18:00 - 19:30 | MI
Trail Talk: Join us on January 16th!
The next general membership meeting of the Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail will be January 16, Thursday, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room (downstairs) at Peter White Public Library.
We will be hosting a roundtable discussion with area trail leaders, featuring representatives from RAMBA (Range Area Mountain Bike Association), Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Friends of Harlow Lake, Noquemanon Trail Network, and our own North Country Trail. This will be an informative evening where you can learn about the diverse trail networks in our area, hear from passionate trail advocates and explore volunteer opportunities to get involved.
The event is open to the public and you do not have to be a member to attend. We hope to see you there!
