Singer/songwriter Ruth Robertson to present summer songfest July 31 in Atlantic Mine

Ruth Robertson (center) will again join Carol Waisanen, right, and Barb McTaggart in singing Felix Mendelssohn's "Lift Thine Eyes" at "A Mid-Summer Afternoon Songfest" Robertson will present at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Atlantic Mine. The trio is pictured here singing this same piece during the July 19, 2016, Omega House Benefit Recital in Houghton. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- Singer-songwriter Ruth Robertson will present "A Mid-Summer Afternoon Songfest" at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 47281 Adventure St. in Atlantic Mine. Robertson will be accompanied at the piano by Alex Frazier, owner and music director of Superior School of Dance in Houghton. The public is cordially invited to attend this celebratory event. While there is no admission fee, a freewill donation is requested. After the recital, free refreshments will be served in the church basement.

The concert will include  pop and folk tunes, spirituals, Broadway tunes and a few classical selections. The audience is invited to sing along. Robertson will sing some of her own songs -- some with guitar, ukulele, or autoharp accompaniment and others a cappella, taking advantage of the lovely acoustics inside this special church. One such a cappella piece will be "Lift Thine Eyes" from Mendelssohn’s Elijah: Carol Waisanen and Barb McTaggart will join Robertson in singing this lively trio that they sang recently for the Omega House Benefit Recital.

"I really enjoy returning to my 'roots' music," Robertson says,"singing simpler music with my guitar, involving other people, just having fun with music. I still love classical and Broadway music as well, but will not do much of that for this program. I want this songfest to be 'accessible.'"

Ruth Robertson pauses for a photo during one of her frequent walks along the Houghton waterfront. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Robertson has been summering in the Keweenaw Peninsula for a dozen years while spending the academic year teaching voice at Lincoln University of Missouri. Retired over a year ago, she now has more time to devote to her own singing and composition. Omega House friends will know her as the founder of the annual summer benefit recital series, which she coordinated for the first half dozen years. She has performed solos with professional and regional orchestras and chorales throughout the Midwest, on the West Coast, and in Europe.

All donations will go towards providing entry access to the main floor and basement for all people. Many parts of the historic church have already been repaired: the most welcome recent upgrade is the central air conditioning that is especially welcome at the end of July!