Arts and Culture

Northern Michigan University alumnus and Marquette native Gabe Thorburn served as associate editor on “KPop Demon Hunters,” which won the Academy Award for best animated feature. He got to hold an Oscar at a celebratory toast hosted after the ceremony at Sony Pictures Animation, which produced the film. He also joined Sony colleagues on stage in February to accept the award for best editorial-feature at the 2026 Annie Awards, which recognize the greatest achievements in animation. 

Northern Michigan University will host a staged reading of “Find a TV,” a play about regional residents' memories of the 9/11 attacks, based on dozens of oral interviews. Three readings are scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 26-27, and 2 p.m Saturday, March 28, in Jamrich 1100. They are free and open to the public, though donations are appreciated. Each performance will be followed by a discussion with the cast. crew and writers. 

Comedian Sal Vulcano of "Impractical Jokers" fame will make a stop at Northern Michigan University on his "Everything's Fine" tour Thursday, April 23. Doors to Vandament Arena open at 6:15 p.m. and the show begins at 7.

“Disney's The Little Mermaid,” a musical adapted from the Broadway production and motion picture, will be presented by Superior Arts Youth Theater and the Wildcat Performing Arts Academy at Northern Michigan University Thursday, March 5-Sunday, March 8.

Due to recent snow days and lost rehearsal time, the Northern Michigan University Orchestra's annual Children's Concert has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, in Reynolds Recital Hall. This is a free event.

The Westerlies, a Grammy-nominated, New York-based brass quartet, will be the featured performer at the NMU Jazz Festival. The group will present the festival's opening concert, which also serves as a Siril Concert Series event, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The quartet will also join NMU's Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the closing concert on Friday, March 20, at the same time and location.

The Northern Michigan University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, directed by Steven Riley, will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in Reynolds Recital Hall. NMU assistant professor Theresa Camilli will provide piano accompaniment.

“Letters Jim Harrison May Never Read.” “Walt Whitman and His Lake Superior Baptism.” “John Lennon at the Old Marquette Inn.” “Chagall Taught Me How to Drive.” These are some of the titles featured in Northern Michigan University English Professor Russell Thorburn's latest collection of poetry, And the Heart Will Not Quicken. The book is populated by imaginative scenarios featuring pop culture, artistic and literary legends who move freely across various decades and countries.

Northern Michigan University's Music Department will host a free jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The event will feature the NMU Jazz Band, composed of nearly 20 players representing various academic majors and directed by Mark Flaherty, along with two smaller ensembles coached by Patrick Booth.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 19-21 and 26-28, in the Panowski Black Box Theatre. The show will be directed by assistant professor Kaitlyn Frotton.