Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival

The second Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival will take place March 12-22, 2009 at Northern Michigan University in the Peter White Lounge, Pioneer Rooms and Great Lakes rooms of the University Center and other sites on campus.

 To apply to be a presenter at the 2009 festival, click to download the application. 

The festival is presented by the Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center, an on-campus museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and culture of the Upper Peninsula’s people.  The mission of the Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival is to present the traditional arts and crafts of its diverse population combining performances, craft demonstrations, workshops, dancing, and regional cuisine.  Most events are free to the public with the exception of Thursday night’s concert.

Schedule for the Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Opening Concert for the Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival AT 7 p.m.
Forest Roberts Theatre
John Williams and Dean Magraw
Les Ross Sr. and the Finnish American All-Stars
Hand Drum Group (T.B.A.)

Tickets: $6 for students, $15 for NMU Faculty/Staff and Seniors over 60, $20 for General Public

Friday, March 13, 2009

Documentary, Ojibwe Birch Bark Wigwam at 7.p.m.
Jamrich Hall 103

Ojibwe Birch Bark Wigwam is a one-hour digital video documentary produced, directed and video recorded by Dr. Michael Loukinen, Professor of Sociology.  Editing, graphics and special effects by Grant Guston, NMU Instructional Media Services. Nick Hockings, an acclaimed Ojibwe Cultural Educator, from Lac du Flambeau, WI joins a group of primarily elderly Euro-Americans and shows them how to build an authentic birch bark wigwam.  The forest was the traditional Ojibwe’s hardware, building supply, pharmacy and grocery store.  Hands-on techniques learned over centuries are fused with Ojibwe cultural teachings and woven into a practical, yet spiritual ecology of the northern hard wood forest.  Viewers will see: the making of an offering to the forest spirits before gathering its bounty, peeling birch bark and puncturing holes with a deer bone awl; separating the strands of basswood inner bark to make twine, and making a pine pitch roofing tar.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Ethnic Dance Lessons
Don H. Bottum University Center, Superior Room at 7 p.m.
Led by the Northern Michigan University International Dancers
No experience required; no partner required.  Bring clean shoes to protect the dance floor.
Free Admission

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Klick Kids from L’Anse
Wooden Bones workshop at Graveraet Intermediate School
Not open to the public

Friday, March 20, 2009

Upper Peninsula Folklore Symposium
Friday, March 20 1:00p.m. to 5:30p.m.
Mead Auditorium, Seaborg Center, Northern Michigan University

1:00p.m. “Rag Rug Weaving in the Upper Peninsula” Yvonne Lockwood,                                  Michigan State University Museum

1:40p.m    “Heikki Lunta: An Original Upper Michigan Finnish Folk Hero”                                              Hilary Joy Virtanen, University of Wisconsin- Madison

2:30p.m.   "Nordic Legends in the New World: The Case of Big Erick Erickson."

                      James P. Leary, University of Wisconsin-Madison

3:10p.m.    "Sounding Like a Yooper: The Idea of a Regional Dialect"

                      Kathryn Remlinger, Grand Valley State University

4:00p.m.     “Where did the Cudighi Come From? An Amazing Adventure”

                      Russell Magnaghi, Department of History, Northern Michigan University

4:40p.m.     “Evolution of the Yooper Identity”

                       Michael Loukinen, Department of Sociology, Northern Michigan University

“Kick Your Heels” Funky-Folk Dance
Free Admission
Explorer Rooms, Don H. Bottum University Center
Featuring the following bands:
7:00p.m.              Grass Monkey
8:30p.m.              Conga Se Menne
10:00p.m.            The Pasi Cats

Saturday, March 21, 2009 

Traditional Arts and Craft Presentations
Peter White Lounge
Don H. Bottum University Center
Free Admission  10a.m. – 4p.m.

Featuring:
James Denkins, chainsaw carver
Lorri Oikarinen, Finnish rag rug weaving
Rick Oikarinen, ski maker
Yarn Winders Fiber Guild, Norwegian Krokbragd weaving, card weaving and inkle loom
Roy Hamilton, barn wood furniture
Kathy Peters, quilting
Janie Paulin, basket weaving, chair caning
Stuart Baird, wood carving
Sue Robishaw, finger weaving
Steve Schmeck, spoon carving

Storytelling and Music Performances
Pioneer Rooms
Don H. Bottum University Center
Free Admission
11:00a.m.            Storytelling with James Couling, Twilight Walking Tours
12:00p.m.            Maple Sugar Folk, French-Canadian Songs
1:30p.m.              Tanya Stanaway, Finnish Songs,
3:00p.m.              Dave Berry, UP Songwriter
4:00p.m.              Bones Workshop with Randy Seppala

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Tradition Arts and Craft Presentations
Peter White Lounge
Don H. Bottum University Center
Free Admission 11:00a.m. – 5p.m.
See March 21 schedule

Ethnic Folk Dance
Great Lakes Rooms
Don H. Bottum University Center
Free Admission

12:00p.m.            Bette Premo and the Front Parlor Dance Band
1:00p.m.              Marquette Folk Dancers
1:30p.m.              Wil Kilpela and Friends
2:30p.m.              Marquette Folk Dancers
3:00p.m.              The Thimbleberry Band