Feature Jackie Stark

feature U.P. events fuel holiday spirit

by Jackie Stark

This time of year means something different to every person. Whatever holiday they celebrate (or don’t), the end of December marks the end of another year—and the early-setting sun provides plenty of time for reflecting on that year gone by.

So it’s no wonder this time is special to so many, with holiday celebrations that bring families together and give them a chance to remember what’s happened over the past 12 months, and recharge for the next 12. And when times become tumultuous, as they certainly have over the last year-and-a-half, traditions can help tie us together, even if we’re apart.

Afternoons spent baking dozens of Christmas cookies, decorating the house with lights and setting up the Christmas village. Sledding with children on a bright Saturday morning. Giving a new set of pajamas and a book on Christmas Eve.

Just as important as the traditions we keep in our homes are the ones we keep in our communities. Holiday parades, concerts, tree lightings— they’re all important parts of the fabric of community. And with the global COVID-19 pandemic, many of those traditions were paused, replaced with another evening spent at home.

This year, however, those traditions are returning—to theaters, bandshells and downtowns across the Upper Peninsula. Here’s a look at just a few:

FRT presents Elf the Musical

The eminently quotable film that gave us Will Ferrell as an impossibly tall elf, more excited for Christmas than any living human, is making its debut on the Forest Roberts Theatre (FRT) stage, adapted into a musical

The plot follows the life of Buddy Hobbs, who crawls into Santa’s sack of toys as a child, and is mistakenly transported back to the North Pole, where he’s then raised as an elf. Many years later, he learns he’s actually a human and takes the advice of Santa to head back to New York City and attempt to find his father.

Jill Grundstrum, co-director of theatre and dance for NMU, said as the FRT schedule for the coming year was being prepared, it was clear the direction they should go.

“We were all very much in agreement,” Grundstrum said. “We needed to have shows that were in some way uplifting and joyful.”

The musical will include fan-favorite jokes from the original film, and is a family friendly event.

“It’s been 18 months since we’ve been able to do this,” Grundstrum said. “We’re really excited to have something that has such a lovely holiday theme to it on our stage.”

The NMU Department of Theatre and Dance is hoping to spread even more cheer during the holidays by partnering with the NMU Food Pantry to provide a donation bin in the FRT lobby through December.

The NMU Food Pantry is located in Gries Hall, above the Health Center, and is open to all NMU students, faculty and staff who need assistance. In addition to shelf-stable food, other items available to patrons include personal care items, dishes, cooking utensils and cookware. There is also space for bedding, towels and winterwear for those in need.

Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday December 3 and Saturday, December 4, with a 2 p.m. “Theatre for All” performance on Saturday, December 4 as well. This sensory-friendly show is performed in a friendly, supportive environment for families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other sensory sensitivities.

Slight adjustments to the production are made, including reduction of any jarring sounds or strobe and spot lights that shine into the audience. House lights are faintly dimmed but remain on. Quiet and activity areas staffed with specialists are available in the lobby areas for those who need to leave their seats during the performance.

Additional 8 p.m. shows take place

Santa will help light the commons after the holiday parade in Downtown Marquette this year. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette DDA) Marquette will host its annual hoilday parade on December 2, with a visit from Santa Claus himself. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette DDA)

Wednesday, December 8 through Saturday, December 11. Will the audience get to hear the line “SANTA’S COMING! I KNOW HIM!” that Ferrell made famous? You’ll just have to attend to find out.

Christmas Tribute Dinner Theater

Pine Mountain Resort is offering an evening of music and humor on December 5 with Christmas Tribute Dinner Theater by Let Me Be Franks Productions.

The evening will include the sounds and styles of artists such as Elvis, Reba, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond and more—all with a Christmas flair. Combining songs from incredible vocalists and comedy bits by Frank Hermans and crew, the event will prove to be a unique Christmas-themed evening.

Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner served at 5 p.m., which includes a selection of ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner roll and apple crisp. The show begins at 6 p.m.

Email Barb@pinemountainresort. com to purchase tickets, which cost $50 a piece.

Deep in the Heart of Christmas

The Texas Tenors are the most successful music group and third highest selling artist in the history of America’s Got Talent.

In addition to the parade, Tinseltown will offer activities for all ages, including cookie decorating. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee DDD)

Since appearing on the show in 2009, JC, Marcus and John have released four studio albums, two PBS Specials, four DVDs, multiple singles and a children’s book that have earned them impressive recognition including three Emmy Awards, The Gelett Burgess Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature and the distinction of being Billboard Magazine’s 2019 #10 Classical Artist in the World.

Their most recent albums, “Rise” and “A Collection of Broadway and American Classics” both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Chart.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14. Tickets range from $38 to $50 and can be purchased online at www.calumettheatre.com

Tinseltown Returns to Irontown

Making a triumphant return to Downtown Negaunee is its annual Tinseltown holiday celebration.

“We’re really excited,” said Pete Munson, event organizer and Negaunee Downtown Development Authority board member. “We’re looking forward to it being a little bit bigger even than what has been done in the past.”

The event, organized by the Negaunee DDA, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on December 11, and include activities for all ages.

The event will include cookie decorating at the Negaunee Eagles for the kids and a wine tasting at the Negaunee VFW for adults. Santa will also be at the Elks to greet kids.

The evening will also include a Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, and performances at the bandshell from the Negaunee High School Band, Lakeview Fourth Grade Chorus, Negaunee City Band and Negaunee Male Chorus. Performances will begin at 5 p.m.

And last but not least, the night will include horse-drawn sleigh rides through downtown Negaunee, sponsored by Fox Negaunee and Honor Credit Union.

Although the event skipped a year, organizers wanted to ensure it returned to downtown Negaunee, bigger and better than ever.

“One of the great things about the U.P. in general is the small-town feel we have,” Munson said. “Certainly in the last year, we’ve all kind of gotten away from that. This is something we wanted to put a little bit of a different stamp on…to see people we haven’t seen in however long because we’ve all been cooped up for the last yearand-a-half, hopefully get people feeling like their lives are getting back to normal.”

Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade

The Marquette Downtown Development Authority will resume its popular Winter Snow Fun Holiday parade this month, bringing back the parade in its original form for its 11th year.

“We’re really excited to be able to do this for the community,” said Tara Laase-McKinney, Marquette DDA promotions and event coordinator. “We’re really excited to help spread some holiday cheer this year.”

Illuminated floats, tinsel-strewn trucks and colorful carolers will transform Third Street into a holiday wonderland, with the parade beginning at the corner of North Third Street and Fair Avenue and ending at the Marquette Commons. After the parade, spectators can head to the Marquette

Commons, where Santa Claus and friends will light up downtown at the 46th Annual City of Marquette Tree Lighting.

Though Santa will make an appearance at the parade, and will help light the tree in the commons, there won’t be any visits with Santa as a precaution against COVID-19.

“He’ll still help light the city tree with the mayor,” Laase-McKinney said. “Kids will still be able to see Santa, they just won’t be able to sit on his lap.”

The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 2.

The Nutcracker Ballet at MTU

A timeless classic will hit the Rozsa stage this month with several performances of the ballet "The Nutcracker."

Performed by the Minnesota Ballet, with music from the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and featuring dancers from the Superior School of Dance, the whimsical ballet has been delighting audiences for more than a century.

The ballet, scored by Tchaikovsky, follows the story of a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.

Although it wasn’t successful at the time it was first written, the ballet soared to success in the 1960s, becoming a beloved holiday tradition for many.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, followed by a 2 p.m. show on Sunday, December 5. Tickets for “The Nutcracker” ballet can be purchased at mtu.edu/rozsa

MM

About the Author: Jackie Stark has lived in the U.P. since she was 11. An avid reader, she also loves gardening and has been talking about learning to play the guitar for 14 years.

Santa visits Downtown Negaunee during Tinseltown to help host the parade and tree lighting. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee DDA)