Maple Sugar Folk to perform French-Canadian songs, dances at Portage Library Aug. 17

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library invites everyone to bring a lunch and enjoy "Music on the Menu," an outdoor series of events held on the dock outside the library. The Maple Sugar Folk will sing from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17.

During the July 24, 2012, Omega House benefit concert, "True Colors," at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, Maple Sugar Folk perform "Belle Rose du Printemps," a traditional French song. The audience joins in singing the chorus after soloist Barbara Lide. The group will perform songs and teach dances at Portage Lake District Library's "Music on the Menu" TOMORROW, Friday, Aug. 17. Accompanied by Dave Bezotte on accordion, other members of the group here include, from left, Jan Wieber, Barry Pegg, Amanda Binoniemi, Karin B. Schlenker, Marcia Goodrich and Ruth Robertson. (Video clip by Keweenaw Now)

This group of ten singers celebrates the Keweenaw’s French-Canadian heritage with music. They sing a variety of traditional folk songs and invite the audience to participate and sing along. They will teach a couple of dances for the audience to try, a "talon-pointe" (heel-toe) and a Métis dance called "Papillon" (butterfly).

Kora Johnson will also perform with the group and will delight the audience with some of her favorite fiddle tunes.

Everyone is invited to eat, relax, and enjoy the lunch hour while listening to some great music. In the event of bad weather, the program will be held in the community room.

This event is part of the library’s Summer Reading Program and is free and open to all. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.