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.

Celebrate French Canadian Heritage Week with dance, song Oct. 1, 2

Maple Sugar Folk perform French Canadian songs during the Omega House benefit concert last July. This Thursday, Oct. 2, they will perform and lead French Canadian songs at the Chassell Heritage Center. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- The public is invited to celebrate French Canadian Heritage Week at two special events in the Keweenaw: a dance on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and a music and singing event on Thursday, Oct. 2.

In this photo some of the Thimbleberry musicians -- from left, Oren Tikkanen, Libby Meyer, Matthew Durocher and Dave Bezotte -- perform during a previous ethnic musical event. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, they will be joined by Anna Gawboy on concertina to play for a French Canadian dance at the Finnish American Heritage Center. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

A French Canadian dance will be held beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. Dance to the music of the Thimbleberry Band (Libby Meyer on fiddle; Anna Gawboy on concertina; Oren Tikkanen on guitar, banjo and vocals; Matt Durocher on bass; and David Bezotte on accordion and vocals) playing a variety of French Canadian fiddle tunes and songs. Join in contra dancing called by Colin Hoekje (beginners welcome), learn French Canadian folk dances, and enjoy waltzes, schottisches and other favorites. $6 admission. The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 Quincy Street in Hancock.

A music and singing event will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Chassell Heritage Center, 2nd St., Chassell. Enjoy French Canadian folk and response songs led by Maple Sugar Folk and lively fiddle tunes and step dancing by Carrie, Emma and Susan Dlutkowski. Doors open at 6 p.m., so come early to view the exhibits, including an exhibit on local French Canadian settlement. Free admission -- donations appreciated.

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

UPDATED: Trae McMaken, -- fiddler, singer, storyteller -- to perform in Chassell July 12

CHASSELL -- Trae McMaken will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at the Chassell Heritage Center (2nd Street, Chassell) offering songs, fiddle tunes and stories highlighting our area’s French-Canadian heritage, featuring Oren Tikkanen on guitar.

Free – Donations Appreciated!

Beaver Island News on the 'Net says:
- "Trae McMaken astounded the audience."
- "A terrific fiddler and singer he definitely is!"

For more information, contact Dave Bezotte at dbezotte@yahoo.com or 482-4956.

UPDATE: Fiddling and Storytelling Workshops by Trae McMaken July 13 at the Chassell Heritage Center

Fiddling: 11 a.m. - Noon, $10 -- The workshop will cover 1-3 French Canadian tunes along with ornamentation, bowings, and other stylistics of French Canadian and Québécois fiddling. Important aspects of French fiddling include crooked tunes, lifting and bouncing the bow, ways of bowing triplets, and more. Discussion of podorhythmie (foot percussion) can also be included if students desire.

Storytelling: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., $20 -- Want to learn how to tell historical, personal, or traditional stories? Taking a storytelling workshop could help improve your ability to communicate through storytelling whether you are a performer, an educator, a counselor, a pastor, or simply like to share life with others. This two-hour workshop will focus on simple, straightforward ways to tell stories more effectively and provide a chance for practice and reflection. Preregistration is not required. For more information, contact Dave Bezotte at 482-4956 or dbezotte@yahoo.com.

Having grown up on the Michigan-Ontario border, Trae imbibed varied styles of fiddle playing including Irish, Scottish, Québécois, Ontario Old Time, and Michigan Old Time.  As a storyteller, Trae's conversational style brings a depth and appreciation to musical performance or can stand alone as an entertaining and educational experience of the old art of the raconteur.