Arts and Culture

Northern Michigan University is celebrating Black History Month in February. The NMU Black Student Union (BSU) plays a prominent role in coordinating related events. The organization strives to create an inclusive and understanding space for the education of Black experience, culture and history on campus

Northern Michigan University's Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center is opening a new photography exhibition, “Extracting History: Mining and Marquette County.” The grand opening with hors d'oeuvres will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday Feb. 16, and the display will remain available to view through March 1. This exhibition showcases local artist Lexie Belles, historic images from Jack Deo's collection and artifacts from the Cliff Shaft Mine Museum.

Northern Michigan University's Jazz Band and jazz combos will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The event will feature about 20 student musicians, including music majors and students from other areas of study. Jazz band and high brass director Mark Flaherty will lead the NMU Jazz Band, and music theory, jazz and improvisation professor Patrick Booth will coach two smaller jazz combos. 

Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University choral groups will present a joint concert titled "Music for a Sacred Space" in each of their respective locales: at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden; and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 in St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.

Northern Michigan University will present the comedy "Puffs" Feb. 22-24 and Feb. 29-March 2. The play parodies the book and movie series about “a certain boy who attended a certain school of wizardry and conquered evil,” but from the perspective of the students who sat next to him in class. 

Marquette native and Northern Michigan University music education student Jaymes Winn will perform her senior recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at Reynolds Recital Hall. This performance is being presented in collaboration with NMU Department of Music faculty members Theresa Camilli and Barbara Rhyneer. Admission is free.

Northern Michigan University English Professor Emeritus John Smolens' latest novel, A Cold, Hard Prayer was selected by the Library of Michigan for the 2024 Michigan Notable Books list. This work of historical fiction is his 12th novel. Smolens previously made the list for Wolf's Mouth in 2017 and Day of Days in 2022.

Three Northern Michigan University musical theater majors scored major achievements at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival's (KCACTF) Region 3 conference in Flint. Junior Maya Moreau of Dearborn made history as the first NMU student to win the $500 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship and advance to the national KCACTF festival competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Liam Fisher of Grand Rapids and John Thomson of Marquette were among 18 finalists selected for the regional Musical Theater Intensive, out of nearly 70 who auditioned.

Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota artists who reside north of the 45th parallel are invited to submit works for the annual “North of the 45th” juried exhibition at Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum. Artists 18 and older may enter up to five images of their work across all media created within the past three years to be considered for the summer 2024 show. The submission deadline is Wednesday, March 13.

Northern Michigan University's CO/LAB Dance Company will present “Carnival of the Animals: A Short Ballet” for the young and young at heart, set to the renowned musical score by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The ballet will be followed by a choreographic showcase by NMU students and faculty. The production begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 3, in Forest Roberts Theatre. A sensory-friendly Theatre for All matinee will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday.