French-Canadian and Métis Heritage Week Sept. 23-30 offers music, dance, stories, more ...

Maple Sugar Folk, accompanied by Dave Bezotte on accordion and Evan Dixon (foreground) on percussion, sing French Canadian songs during the Sept. 16, 2017, Parade of Nations Multicultural Festival in Dee Stadium. They will perform again on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Lake Linden Farmers Market to kick off French-Canadian and Métis Heritage Week, and again on Friday, Sept. 29, in the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's in Calumet. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- Celebrate French-Canadian and Métis Heritage Week Sept. 23-30 with a variety of local events for the whole family. Here is the schedule:

Saturday, Sept. 23: The celebration begins with a preview event, MUSIC AT LAKE LINDEN FARMERS MARKET, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Enjoy French-Canadian songs by Maple Sugar Folk and fiddling by Laura Shilling. Bring a blanket and enjoy the goods and the music. The market, located in Lake Linden Park, M-26, Lake Linden, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Maple Sugar Folk, led by Dave Bezotte on accordion, perform a lively French Canadian tune, "Chantez, Dansez, Sautez ..." (Sing, Dance, Jump ...) outside Dee Stadium in Houghton following the Sept. 16, 2017, Parade of Nations. They also performed onstage during the Parade of Nations Multicultural Festival. Click on YouTube icon for larger screen. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Wednesday, Sept. 27:

CHILDREN’S STORYTIME AT PORTAGE LAKE DISTRICT LIBRARY, 10:20 a.m. Young children are invited to celebrate French Canadian Heritage Week during Storytime at the Portage Lake District Library. Kids will take an imaginary journey from France to Canada, clap their hands to the rhythm of a musical performance by Dave Bezotte and Evan Dixon, listen to stories about the north, learn how to count in French, and make a voyageur canoe.

During a previous French Canadian Heritage Celebration, children at the Portage Lake District Library Storytime enjoy a story about voyageurs read by Chris Alquist, the library's community programs coordinator. This year the library will host a French Canadian Children's Storytime Wednesday, Sept. 27; Thursday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 30. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

DANCE AT THE FINNISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER, 435 Quincy, Hancock, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Celebrate French-Canadian Heritage Week and Finlandia University’s Festival Ruska by dancing to Finnish and French-Canadian music by the Thimbleberry Band: folk dances, waltzes, schottisches, polkas and other favorites. $6 admission.*

Thursday, Sept. 28:

CHILDREN’S STORYTIME AT PORTAGE LAKE DISTRICT LIBRARY, 10:20 a.m.  French-Canadian stories and crafts (see above).

AN INTERGENERATIONAL ORAL HISTORY PROJECT AT THE CHASSELL HERITAGE CENTER, 42373 Hancock Ave, Chassell, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Ruth Ryynanen discusses and seeks community input on Chassell’s involvement in the UP Digital History Initiative "Your Story" project, pairing youth with older adults to create digital histories. Free -- Donations welcome.

Friday, Sept. 29:

RECITAL AT THE KEWEENAW HERITAGE CENTER AT ST. ANNE’S, 5th and Scott, Calumet, 7 p.m. Music on the Barckhoff pipe organ by Organists of the Keweenaw and folk songs by Maple Sugar Folk. There will be no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be taken.

Saturday, Sept. 30:

CHILDREN’S STORYTIME AT PORTAGE LAKE DISTRICT LIBRARY, 11 a.m. French-Canadian stories and crafts. (See Wednesday, above.)

For more information, contact Dave Bezotte at dbezotte@yahoo.com or 906-370-4956.

* Click here for Finlandia University's  Festival Ruska schedule.