Arts and Culture

Distinguished pianist Jeonwong Ham will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, in Reynolds Recital Hall as part of Northern Michigan University's Siril Concert Series. In addition to her concert performance, Ham will offer a free piano technique workshop for piano teachers and practitioners, and two free piano masterclasses for NMU students and community members.

Due to the inclement weather, the Northern Michigan University Orchestra Children's Concert scheduled for this evening has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in Reynolds Recital Hall.

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.