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.

July 15 "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" recital to benefit Omega House

Poster for the 8th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" recital to benefit Omega House. (Poster courtesy Omega House)

HOUGHTON -- The Omega House 8th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton.

Community vocalists and instrumentalists will join together for an evening of jazz, light opera, folk, blues and Broadway.

Performers take a curtain call at last year's (July 30, 2013) "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" Omega House benefit in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. Lara Neves, organizer for both 2013 and 2014 recitals, is at far right. This year's recital will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Lara Neves has planned the event again this year. She has lined up many talented local performers, including guitarist Steve Jones, Maple Sugar Folk, Noteworthy, and many other vocal solos, duets, and trios.

A $10 donation at the door is suggested to benefit Omega House -- a peaceful, homelike environment for terminally ill people. Omega House provides end-of-life care that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect and dignity. In cooperation with local hospice programs, Omega House provides residents with exceptional care and attention 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, please contact Carol Pfeffercorn at 906-482-4438 or visit www.omega-house.org.

Editor's Note: Click here to see videos from the 2013 "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" concert.

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.

Keweenaw Heritage Center to host ethnic music July 30

Maple Sugar Folk perform French-Canadian tunes in the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's, Calumet, during a July 2009 ethnic music concert. They will be among several groups and solo vocalists to perform ethnic music this Monday, July 30, at the Keweenaw Heritage Center. (Keweenaw Now file photo)*

CALUMET -- The Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's in Calumet will host a summer evening of ethnic music at 7 p.m. Monday, July 30. Dave Bezotte has again invited several local musicians who will be sharing their music from around the world.

Here are the performers and their songs:

FINNISH: "Maailman Matti," Dan Maki

CZECH: "Stodola Pumpa" (Arr. Mark Weston)
CORNISH: "Song of the Jolly Roger (C. F. Chudleigh Candish)
Male Chorus -- Dave Bezotte, Bill Francis, Dick Hazzard, Don Kuiper, Pasi Lautala, Ardys Maki (Accompanist), Dan Maki, Pete Manderfield, Jeremiah Mason, Bryan Milde,
Barry Pegg, Brandon Veale, Carol Waisanen (Conductor), David Waisanen

SWEDISH -- "Calle Schewens vals," Barbara Lide

FINNISH, FRENCH, UKRAINIAN -- Selections to be announced
Trio Tumpelot -- Pasi Lautala, Anna Gawboy, and Meghan Pachmayer

FRENCH -- "Plaisir d’amour," Ruth Robertson

FRENCH-CANADIAN -- "Belle Rose du Printemps," "Alouette," "Vive l’amour"
Maple Sugar Folk -- Dave Bezotte, Amanda Binoniemi, Marcia Goodrich, Barbara Lide, Barry Pegg, Ruth Robertson, Karin Schlenker, Janet Wieber *

GERMAN -- "Der treue Husar," Barbara Lide

NORWEGIAN -- Selections to be announced, Jo Storaker, Accordion

AMERICAN -- "What a Wonderful World" (Douglas and Weiss), Karin Schlenker

There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be taken partway through the concert to benefit the Heritage Center.

*Editor's Note: For a preview, click here to see our video clip of Maple Sugar Folk singing "Alouette" at the 2009 ethnic music concert.

Omega House Benefit Recital to feature "True Colors" Easy Listening Songs July 24

Ruth Robertson, left -- musician, vocalist, and coordinator of the Omega House Benefit Recital -- leads the audience in applause during the curtain call at the end of the 2011 Recital in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock. This year's recital, "True Colors," will be Tuesday, July 24. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HANCOCK -- Omega House will sponsor its 6th Annual Benefit Recital at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Quincy St. in Hancock. The theme of this year's recital is "True Colors."

Over twenty local musicians will present some 30 Easy Listening Songs that feature various colors, (or at least mention) one or two colors in the song. Styles include jazz, folk, classical, Broadway, and pop.

Perhaps the most noted local artist appearing is jazz guitar wunderkind Steve Jones, who is graciously performing his own set, including "Autumn Leaves." Another solo instrumentalist is Paul Keranen, whose soulful saxophone tones have pleased Omega House benefit recitals for several years running.

The audience will be invited to participate in the recital by singing along with David Owens as he walks us through some Golden Oldies.

Other returning artists include vocalists Ann Campbell, Courtney Clisch, Jeff Massey, and Lara Neves. New singers this year are Cheyenne Kaufman, Emilie Krznarich, Marika Seigel and singer/guitarist Chuck Young. 

Several sing not only as soloists but also with the Maple Sugar Folk: Barbara Lide, Barry Pegg, Ruth Robertson and Karin B. Schlenker. They join Amanda Binoniemi, Marcia Goodrich, Jan Wieber in singing three French Canadian songs with David Bezotte, director/accordionist. The audience can practice their French on one song by echoing the oft-repeated phrase, "Belle Rose du printemps."

Maple Sugar Folk sing favorite French tunes during the 2011 Omega House Benefit Recital. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Show your “true colors” by attending and supporting Omega House, where people come for gentle, loving care near the end of their lives. A suggested donation for the recital is $5. Attendees may feel good about donating to Omega House, a compassionate care facility in Houghton, serving the community since 2005. Several local businesses have already participated by donating. Their names will appear in the program.

Light refreshments will be served after the recital.  

For more information call event coordinators Lara Neves at 906- 370-7739 or Ruth Robertson at 573-230-1280. If you cannot attend but would like to have your donation count in the total raised at this event, please send a check to Omega House 2211, Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI  49931 and write "Benefit Recital" on the memo line. You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

Maple Sugar Folk to perform at opening of "Across the Border" exhibit Aug. 4 in Chassell

CHASSELL -- Maple Sugar Folk will sing at the Chassell Heritage Center at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Aug 4, under the direction of Accordionist/singer David Bezotte. This will open a new exhibition, "Across the Border: Canadians in the Upper Peninsula," on loan from Northern Michigan University’s Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center.*

Ralph Horvath, soloist, and Maple Sugar Folk sing "Youpe, Youpe! Sur la Rivière," a Canadian folk song, during the July 26 Benefit Recital for Omega House hospice, held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. Singers also include, from left, Barbara Lide, Marcia Goodrich, Jan Wieber, Amanda Binoniemi, Karin Schlenker and Barry Pegg. Accompanist for the group is Ruth Robertson. Maple Sugar Folk will perform at 7 p.m., Aug. 4, at the Chassell Heritage Center and at noon, Aug. 5, outside Portage Lake District Library. (Video clip by Keweenaw Now)

Light refreshments will be provided.

Across the Border focuses primarily on the immigration of Canadians to the Upper Peninsula during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the story begins much farther back than that with the Anishinaabeg people who have lived on both sides of what they view as purely a political border for centuries. The very nature of this border, which has been seen at times as irrelevant and porous, is discussed in this exhibition as is the nature of Canadian identity as it relates to the immigration of people to the Upper Peninsula from Québec and Ontario.

This display from the "Across the Border" exhibit relates the immigration history of Dave Bezotte's family of Chassell. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)*

One of the most interesting parts of this exhibition is the spotlight on specific families who came from Canada to the Upper Peninsula. The exhibit looks at the experiences they had before and after they immigrated to the region. There will also be a focus on specific communities that had significant settlements of Canadian people. Chassell and Lake Linden are among the communities featured.

"Across the Border" will be on display through Aug. 30, 2011. The Chassell Heritage Center is located at 42373 North Hancock Street, Chassell (from US 41, turn west onto 2nd Street) and is open Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The exhibition was funded by Cliffs Natural Resources, NMU's College of Arts and Sciences and the Province of Québec Chicago Delegation.

Maple Sugar Folk to perform at Portage Library Aug. 5

HOUGHTON -- Maple Sugar Folk will perform from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, at Music on the Menu outside the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton. 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.

Everyone is invited to bring a lunch, 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.

* Editor's Note: See more photos from the "Across the Border" exhibit in our slide show, Marquette Exhibits.

"Many Waters" to be theme at 5th Annual Omega House Benefit Recital July 26

HANCOCK -- The 5th Annual Omega House Benefit Recital of mostly vocal music will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. This year’s theme is "Many Waters" -- Songs of Seas, Lakes, Streams, and Fountains.

"Heed the call to go the sea: feel the moist sand between your toes, taste the salty breeze, go fishing or harvest kelp near the shore, sail far away, feel the rising waves, plunge through the storm’s crashing waves, wait hopelessly at the shore for your loved one’s return," says Ruth Robertson, recital coordinator. "Or not… sit instead by a still Loch Lomand, or the Rosenlagen or Keweenaw Bay, watching twinkling harbour lights."

Ruth Robertson, recital coordinator and mezzo-soprano, presents performers during the 2010 Omega House Benefit Recital. (Keweenaw Now 2010 file photo)

New this year is jazz guitarist Steve Jones, who will join baritone Mark Oliver in a medley of River Songs, including such favorites as "Up the Lazy River," "Moon River," and "Old Man River." Jones and saxophonist Paul Keranen will play a jazz set with "Cry Me a River," "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Soul Eyes." Also in the jazz style will be torch singer Karin B. Schlenker singing "Stormy Weather."

Torch singer Karin Schlenker performs at the 2010 Omega House Benefit Recital at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. This year Schlenker will sing "Stormy Weather." (Keweenaw Now 2010 file photo)

Also new this year is a segment of audience sing-along songs led by David Owens: "Harbour Lights," "Keweenaw Light," and the series theme song, "Summertime," with a new alternative text.

Folk music reigns supreme this year with three songs in French, three in German, one each in Swedish and Spanish. Translations of the texts are in the printed program so people can follow along. Even the classical songs are, for the most part, settings of folk tunes including a section of haunting chanties and other songs by British composers.

Returning vocalists are basses Jeff Massey and Barry Pegg; Ann and Greg Campbell; Sopranos Patricia Helsel, Katie Zutter; mezzo-soprano Ruth Robertson and tenors Bill Francis and Robert Suits of Houghton and Jacob Laitenen from Marquette .

New vocalists this year are contralto Barbara Lide singing a rollicking Swedish waltz, tenors Nathan Held and Nick Bohmann, and soprano Courtney Clisch.

Also new this year will be David Bezotte’s group, the Maple Sugar Folk, singing French water songs: "Partons, la mer est belle!" -- an Acadian folk tune; "Santa Maria de la mer" by Christian Bruhn; and "Youpe, Youpe! sur la rivière." Maple Sugar Folk singers include Amanda Binoniemi, Evan Dixon, Marcia Goodrich, Barbara Lide, Ralph Horvath, Barry Pegg, Ruth Robertson, Karin B. Schlenker and Jan Wieber.

Maple Sugar Folk perform French songs during a 2009 performance at the Calumet Heritage Center at St. Anne's. This year they will sing French water songs during the July 26 Omega House Benefit Recital at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now 2009 file photo)

Accompanists include Susan Byykkonen, principal piano accompanist; Susan Rokicki, piano accompanist; Ruth Robertson, piano and guitar accompanist; and David Owens, sing-along leader.

A donation of $5 or more is suggested. All proceeds will benefit Omega House, the Keweenaw's only hospice care facility.

For more information call Ruth Robertson, recital coordinator, at 573-761-1433 or Omega House at 906-482-4438.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (ELCA) is at 1000 W. Quincy St. in Hancock.