Arts and Culture

World-Premiere Ballet at NMU

FRT ballet
Jan. 16, 2019 —

Northern Michigan University Theater and Dance will present the world premiere of the full-length ballet, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. This twist on the classic Scandinavian folk tale features original choreography by director Jill Grundstrom and original music composed by Griffin Candey. The production is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, through Saturday, Jan. 26, in Forest Roberts Theatre. Admission is $15 for general public, $10 for students and $5 for NMU students. All theatre and dance majors and minors are invited to attend free of charge.

Students 'Gotta Dance' through COVID-19

Grundstrom in a living room teaching students connected via the computer in front of her.
Mar. 18, 2020 —
Many U.S. universities have shifted from face-to-face instruction to online platforms in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The conversion can be more challenging for labs and performance classes that don't lend themselves well to written material or slide presentation software. Some faculty members, including NMU Director of Dance Jill Grundstrom, are exploring innovative ways to engage students in a virtual environment.

NMU Hosts Piano Duet Festival

Feb. 20, 2020 —
Northern Michigan University's Department of Music will present a free Piano Duet Festival beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The festival will showcase the work of local piano teachers Esther Barrington and Nancy Railey, along with their students. Local pianist Lynne Lanczy will also perform. 

New Book Sheds Light on George Shiras III

McCommons at the Shiras camp
Dec. 5, 2019 —
Northern Michigan University professor James McCommons recently published a definitive biography of George Shiras III (1859-1942), the groundbreaking wildlife photographer who honed his techniques in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. But that work often overshadows perhaps Shiras' most notable achievement: establishing the legal foundation for what became the Migratory Bird Treaty Act while serving in Congress. 

Diversity Common Reader Selection Announced

Book cover
Nov. 15, 2019 —
Southside Buddhist: Essays by Ira Sukrungruang will be the featured selection for NMU's 2020 Diversity Common Reader Program (DCRP). Students can obtain free copies at the start of the winter semester at the Multicultural Education and Resource Center in C.B. Hedgcock. Faculty members are encouraged to incorporate the text into a class, organize an event related to the book or facilitate a book discussion.

Visiting Writers Present Interactive Program

Nov. 6, 2019 —
The next Visiting Writers Program event at Northern Michigan University will feature an interactive augmented and virtual reality installation comprised of poetry, documentary video and sound. Jen Scappettone and Judd Morrissey will speak about their project, Lament; Or, The Mine Has Been Opened Up Well, which is based on research in the Copper Country. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Northern Center.