Orpheum Theater to host Finn Hall -- Finnish music night -- July 16

Dance to Finnish music at an old time Finn Hall Thursday, July 16, at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock. (Photo courtesy Orpheum Theater)

HANCOCK -- Ralph Tuttila has put together an all star cast of Finnish musicians from all over the Midwest to entertain at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock Thursday, July 16, for your dancing pleasure! He also called up his good friends in FinnFolk from Detroit to add to the night.*

Oren Tikkanen says, "Hei, Toverit (comrades) -- some of the Midwest's best and favorite players of traditional Finnish music will be gathering at the Orpheum-Studio Pizza in Hancock at 8:30 p.m. this Thursday, July 16, in an evening of old-time Finnish music for dancing and listening. The line-up includes Don Reinholm, Carol Reinholm (Towhead and Papu), Roger Juntunen Hewlett, Kristen Kreiner, Ron Karvonen, Steve Niemi, Ralph and Jaana Tuttila, Carl Rahkonen, Oren Tikkanen, and who knows who else?

"Kyllä, ystävät! The Orpheum will be the old-time Finn Hall on Thursday, so come on over to 426 Quincy Street in Hancock. NIINPÄ!!"

Ralph Tuttila was exposed very early to Finnish music at home and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Finnish community where he grew up. He was a member of the Finnish Kantele ensemble "Koivun Kaiku" for 13 years playing a variety of traditional Finnish instruments While with that group, he travelled to Finland and performed at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in 1993. Koivun Kauku was awarded performers of the year in 1996 by the Finlandia Foundation National. This involved considerable performances throughout the USA. During that time, Koivun Kaiku produced four recordings.

Ralph has learned his music and instruments almost exclusively in the folk tradition. He is also a dancer and musician with the Kisarit Finnish folkdancers and teaches various types of dance -- Finnish and other couple social dances including tango.

Music starts at 8:30 p.m., doors open for socializing at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, Senior Citizens and Students $7. Don't forget your dancin' shoes!

* FinnFolk will also perform on the dock outside the Portage Library from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, preceding the Orpheum concert. Click here for info.