Arts and Culture | Northern Today

World-Premiere Ballet at NMU

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.

Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival to Celebrate Traditional Arts and Culture in Marquette

Sep. 30, 2026

The Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival will celebrate the traditional arts, music, food, and cultural heritage of the Upper Peninsula Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2-4, in Marquette.

NMU to Host Third Diwali Celebration

Sep. 23, 2026

Northern Michigan University will host its third Diwali celebration from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Northern Center Ballrooms. This event, organized by several groups on campus, will feature traditional performances, food and music.

NMU alumna Jane Callander dancing during last year's Diwali celebration.

NMU Theatre & Dance presents “Come From Away”

Sep. 22, 2026

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present “Come From Away,” an award-winning play written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 24-26 and Oct. 1-3, at the Forest Roberts Theatre.

Come From Away will hit the Forest Roberts Theatre Sept. 24.

NMU Alumna Featured in ArtPrize

Sep. 15, 2026

NMU alumna Kelly Lynne Figueiredo is featured in this year's Art Prize with "The Matriach," a five-piece installation of acrylic paintings.

"Unannounced Authority" is one of five acrylic paintings featured in NMU alumna Kelly Lynne Figueiredo's ArtPrize installation.

Writing Marathon Set for Sept. 17

Sep. 14, 2026

The Northern Shores Storywork Project, in conjunction with Sigma Tau Delta, is hosting The Marquette Writing Marathon at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 17.

A recent Music On Third event draws a crowd. The Northern Shores Storywork Project will host a writing marathon during Sept. 19's Music on Third event.

New Play Provides a Voice for Local 9/11 Experiences

Sep. 11, 2026

Student group Found Space Theatre will present its production of "Find A TV" during Homecoming, a play written by two NMU professors using oral histories gathered by an NMU Honors course on the experiences of Upper Peninsula residents during the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Students perform a staged reading "Find A TV" in March.

Wildcat Theatre Follies hit stage Sept. 3-5

Aug. 31, 2026

With the largest cast to date, the Wildcat Theatre Follies return to the Panowski Blackbox Theatre September 3 through 5 to kick off the 2026-2027 NMU Theatre & Dance season.

The Wildcat Theatre Follies return to NMU Sept. 3-5 at the Panowski Black Box Theatre.

Beaumier Center Highlights Mary Jayne Hallifax's Photography

Jun. 23, 2026

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at NMU will open a new exhibition July 9 that features the work of one of the U.P.'s most prolific photographers. It is titled "Munising in Black & White: The Photographs of Mary Jayne Hallifax." She was an in-demand commercial photographer who also captured numerous candid images of her hometown over seven decades.

Mary Jayne Hallifax (photo from her online obituary)

NMU Music Hosts Summer Concert Series

Jun. 12, 2026

The Northern Michigan University Department of Music will present a second season of Its series, Summer Concerts at Reynolds (SCR). This year's events will all take place at 5 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall on Tuesdays in July and August. Admission is free, though donations will be gratefully accepted, with all proceeds benefiting the department to enhance the experience for students.

Barbara Rhyneer, university orchestra director, is one of the faculty members who will be featured during the Summer Concerts at Reynolds series