Central UP Events

You are invited to join your fellow community members for a discussion forum about Marquette. During this one-hour conversation, folks who spend time in Marquette have the opportunity to share their experiences, challenges, and ideas as it relates to inclusivity and belonging in Marquette, as well as the direction in which our community is moving forward related to these topics.  The event will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd at 6:30pm in the Peter White Public Library Community Room. Come and join in on the conversation or simply listen to what others have to say. This will be a welcoming

S. Lewis Holidays:  Andrew Lazo Presentation  Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Zoom.  Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors.  As a kickoff to PWPL’s C. S. Lewis Holidays programming series, join Reverend Andrew Lazo, one of the world’s leading scholars on C. S. Lewis, for a presentation on the life and work of creator of The Chronicles of Narnia.  Open the wardrobe and step into the mind and imagination of C. S. Lewis.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info for Zoom meeting information..

Marquette Regional History Center presents: Senior Support Series: Prepping for a Long Winter Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Marquette Regional History Center. Have you ever heard a poem that hits home? Poetry can express a world of emotion in one moment. Through poetry we have found in the History Center collection, along with simple art making and music, we will focus on the light moments that help us through a long U.P. winter. Free program, free coffee, door prizes. Part of our Senior Support Series daytime programming. For more info visit marquettehistory.org Senior Support Series (SSS): New

The regular monthly meeting of the Marquette County Board of Health will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 6:00 pm.  The meeting will take place in Room 231 of the Henry A. Skewis Annex, Marquette Country Courthouse, Marquette.

The League of Women Voters of Marquette County will hold its membership meeting on Wednesday, December 4th at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be held in Studio 1, lower level of the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front, St. Marquette. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Marquette County residents are welcome to attend. For more information, send an email message to lwvmqtco@gmail.com. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

  The Northern Michigan University jazz ensembles will present their second concert of the fall season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert will feature both the NMU Jazz Band and the NMU Jazz Combo. The NMU Jazz Band  is a standard big band with five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and a rhythm section. This group will be playing a variety of material, including standards by Neil Hefti (Cute) and Oscar Pettiford (Blues in the Closet), a Beatles tune (Blackbird), and a crazy funk tune by saxophonist

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together. “Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together. “Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing

  Northern Michigan University’s Seaborg Center will host its annual FIRST LEGO League Challenge Qualifier on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Jamrich Hall. There will be 24 upper elementary teams (about 500 students) competing. Media are welcome to cover this STEM event, which brings many visitors to campus from the local community and larger central U.P. area. The qualifying tournament begins with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Robot matches and judging will follow throughout the day. The event will conclude around 4 p.m. with an awards ceremony to celebrate teams advancing to the state tournament.

 Saturday, December 7, 2024. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Peter White Public Library, George Shiras III Room. Four mindfulness meditation and yoga teachers invite you to engage in a year of mindful living.  Each month, one of the teachers will present a topic that addresses the different dimensions where we can practice mindfulness and presence.  The intent is for us to cultivate mindfulness, care, and well-being individually and in our love, business, and social relationships.  These are drop-in sessions, although committing to a full year is a way to build a consistent mindfulness practice. For more information and to check

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together. “Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing

Celebrate Finnish Christmas and Independence on Dec.. 8 A program of music and delicious Finnish food to celebrate Finnish Christmas and Independence Day is planned for Sunday, December 8, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Magnuson Hall.  Messiah is located at 305 West Magnetic in Marquette. All are welcome to attend.  The program is presented by the Lake Superior Chapter of the Finlandia Foundation National.  President Ron Hill will begin with a short review of how the Finns have celebrated their Independence Day on December 6th since 1917. Musicial selections will include Oscar Forsman playing his accordion, Tanja Stanaway leading singing

Heather Bell Cookbook Release-Mama Bell’s Big Family Cookbook  Monday, December 9, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room.  Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors.  Join viral cooking and lifestyle influencer Heather Bell for a night of cookbook chat.  Bell shares family stories and recipes from her recently released Mama Bell’s Big Family Cookbook. You’ll leave with full hearts and hungry bellies.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs will hold her next community office hours on Wednesday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Shiras Room, on the top level of Peter White Public Library (Front Street side). The meeting is intended to provide an informal opportunity to discuss issues within the community, and to give citizens the opportunity for direct dialogue with City staff about interests and concerns.

Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present its Holiday Soirée celebration and fundraiser for student scholarships on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The festive event kicks off with a holiday buffet and live auction from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Panowski Black Box Theatre, followed by student and guest-star performances from 7:30-9. There will also be a special visit from Santa Claus.   Director Kristen Beth Ludwig said last year’s inaugural Holiday Soirée was such a success that a 2.0 version was planned to close out this semester. Marquette natives and NMU seniors Michael Ahlstrom and John Thomson will return as hosts before they pass the

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present its Holiday Soirée celebration and fundraiser for student scholarships on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The festive event kicks off with a holiday buffet and live auction from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Panowski Black Box Theatre, followed by student and guest-star performances from 7:30-9. There will also be a special visit from Santa Claus. Director Kristen Beth Ludwig said last year’s inaugural Holiday Soirée was such a success that a 2.0 version was planned to close out this semester. Marquette natives and NMU seniors Michael Ahlstrom and John Thomson will return as hosts before they pass the

Marquette Regional History Center presents: Holiday Open House Wednesday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. Our annual holiday open house has been cheering the community since 1948. We gather and greet our neighbors and share music and some holiday surprises.. This year we will feature a local holiday collection of crèches (nativity scenes). The display will be featured along with a short talk by the collector, Carol Margrif. Enjoy light refreshments. Free event, donations appreciated.  For more information visit marquettehistory.org

Superior Pipes & Drums & Friends Holiday Concert  Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room.  Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors.  Join PWPL in celebrating the holiday season with some Scottish highlands flare. Bagpipes, drums, and yuletide cheer!  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

21st Annual Celebrity Art Auction A non-traditional art auction fundraising event for the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. Thursday, December 12, 2024 Viewing starts at 5:30 p.m. Auction to follow at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy works of art by some of the community’s most unexpected artists. Sample an array of appetizers, sip wine and beer. Free Admission. 21 and older event.

Winter Wonderland Walk Celebration  Thursday, December 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library.  Teens, Family, Adults, Seniors.  The Winter Wonderland trees will be lit.  Cookies and hot chocolate will be overflowing in the Huron Mountain Gallery.  In the Community Room, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Big Lake Acoustic will be performing a holiday concert of all your favorite carols and songs.  Come revel in the spirit of the season at PWPL.  No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together. “Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together. “Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing

  Northern Michigan University Theatre and Dance will present a festive new production titled “Home for the Holidays” Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 in Forest Roberts Theatre. The show is about a group of NMU students who convene to share tales of their diverse family traditions before they journey home for the holidays. It features musical singing and dance numbers—many familiar—with bits of dialogue to tie it all together. “Home can mean a lot of different things to different people, and the holidays are a momentous time for various reasons,” said Karina Johnson, who developed and is directing

Dickinson Hospitals’ Foundation Love Lights Ceremony Celebrates Long-time Hospital employee Julie Skowronek This year, we celebrate the life of Julie Skowronek at our annual Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday, December 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson in the hospital’s main lobby. Julie’s husband, Jim Skowronek said, “My family and I are thankful to have the 2024 Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony dedicated to Julie’s memory. She loved working at the hospital, helping the patients, and interacting with her co-workers. After 34 years of service and dedication to Dickinson Healthcare, I know she is

Merry Movie Mayhem  Monday, December 16, 2024.  6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room.  Adults, Seniors, Teens, Family Friendly. The voting is over!  The ballots have been counted!  The winner of PWPL’s Christmas movie matchups will be revealed!  Join us for an evening of Christmas treats, ugly Christmas sweaters, and a screening of the Merry Movie Mayhem champion. No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

Artists & Their Art:  Michelangelo Part 3  Tuesday, December 17, 2024.  6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Zoom.  Adults, Seniors, Teens. Peter White Public Library hosts celebrated art historian Ellen Longsworth for this virtual series focused on famous artists, artistic movements, and art. For this event, Ellen will continue her exploration of the works of Michelangelo.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info for Zoom meeting information.