Category: Announcements

Twelfth Night

Fights, wit and Shakespeare

The three sword fights in “Twelfth Night” are something Helsel is particularly proud of, as she brought in Zev Steinberg – a “fight coordinator” from Chicago – to work with the cast for two days in the art of stage combat. In rehearsing the fights, 30 seconds of fighting took an hour and a half to stage, according to a press release.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Zach Kukkonen.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s comic story follows Viola, a young woman who has been shipwrecked in a violent storm off the coast of Illyria; in the process she has lost her twin brother, Sebastian.

The Tech Theatre would like to welcome everyone to come out and see the performance in McArdle Theatre, Thursday – Saturday, March 22-24 & 29-31, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday Matinees, March 25 & April 1, 2:00 p.m.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Mandy Barbul-Couch.

Forty-Five Years of Jazz!

Don Keranen Memorial Concert

Both the R&D Big Band and the Jazz Lab Band were joined by two guest artists, both from the Twin Cities area. One of the two, Gus Sandberg, is a native of Chassell. He has a degree in music performance (saxophone) from the University of Wisconsin – Stephen’s Point, and has played with groups such as the Jack Brass Band, Mike Sterling, and the Irresistibles, and Dr. Mambo’s Combo. The other, Scott Agster, is a trombonist who studied for both bachelor and master’s degrees in music at the University of North Texas. He was worked with The Jack Brass Band, Salsa del Soul, and Tom Hunter and the Blues Frenzy.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

45 years of jazz

See the photo at the Mining Gazette, by Stacey Kukkonen.

Reminder: Celebrate 45 Years of Jazz at the Rozsa

Alumni will play a big role in the festivities, and a reception for them will follow the concert. “We’ve got alums from all over coming back,” Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, said. So far, the oldest will be Tim Nielsen ’76, and the youngest will be Andy Kurzeniewski ’10.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Annual Memorial Concert is fast approaching

Right now, the Michigan Tech jazz bands are putting the finishing touches on their performances for the upcoming annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert, just like every year. This year, however, is not just like every year: the jazz program is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

Celebrate! Forty-five Years of Jazz at Michigan Tech

A forty-fifth anniversary is a great reason to celebrate, and the jazz program at Michigan Technological University intends to party hearty.

It all starts on Friday, March 23, at 8:00 p.m. with the Off ‘Dem Jam Session at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Hancock.

The forty-fifth anniversary concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Rozsa Center. It will also be the twelfth annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert.

Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Dennis Walikainen.

Mike Irish’s Jazz Night at the Orpheum

Mike Irish Presents Jazz Night at the Orpheum Theater…and admission is FREE!! Come check out the groovy tunes in the beautiful Orpheum atmosphere… The event takes place on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The Orpheum is located at 426 Quincy St., Hancock, MI. The venue is a remodeled vaudeville theatre built in 1910. For more information, visit the Studio Pizza website.

Original Composition by Milt Olsson

KSO performs third show

Four pieces were performed, three of them being of classical composers and the final being a premiere of Michigan Tech’s very own Dr. Milton Olson. While all the pieces felt familiar they all had their own personalities that set them apart. Each piece felt as though a tragedy was being played out. It was very easy for the audience to envision the picture behind the music.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Mandy Barbul-Couch.

Olsson to premiere ‘Dialogues’ with KSO

Because of his knowledge of the KSO, Olsson also was able to give parts to players who may not get to show off their skills as often. “It’s an interesting work; there’s a solo for alto flute, a solo for electric guitar,” Neves said. “It’s challenging but fun because it’s personalized. Because of his knowledge of the KSO, Olsson also was able to give parts to players who may not get to show off their skills as often. “It’s an interesting work; there’s a solo for alto flute, a solo for electric guitar,” Neves said. “It’s challenging but fun because it’s personalized.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Zach Kukkonen.

KSO Performs Milt Olsson Composition

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra will perform the premier of Milt Olsson’s “Dialogues for Orchestra”. Conductor Joel Neves said the KSO commissioned Olsson, former conductor of the orchestra, to compose a new work that coincided with the ensemble’s 40th anniversary.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra performing at the Rozsa

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra is nearly ready to perform its third concert of the 2011-12 season. On February 18 at 7:30 pm, the KSO will not only kick off 2012 with the ever-popular William Tell Overture, but will also debut a brand-new piece by Milton Olsson. Olsson was the previous director of the KSO, before current director Dr. Joel Neves, and has written other pieces for Michigan Tech’s musical ensembles: in 1999, the KSO premiered his Konzertstück, and in 2000 the KSO and Michigan Tech Concert Choir teamed up to premier his Mass for Choir and Orchestra.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

“Almost, Maine” is Almost Here

Almost, Maine: Nearly Houghton

A young couple has a dalliance under the northern lights and shooting stars. Another woman camps out in someone’s yard, trying to make amends and mend a broken heart. Another couple is splitting up in the Moose Patty Cafe, but they both land on their feet.

Read more at the TechAlum Newsletter, by Dennis Walikainen.

“Almost Maine” enchants audiences

Visually, the set was striking. Nine “mini-sets” were set up across the stage floor. This allows not only a certain parallel feel among scenes of the play—little things happening simultaneously: the writing in a book, the nursing of a drink—but also created the small town aura.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Abigail Dillon.

John Cariani play performed at McArdle Theatre

Dr. Roger Held, the Theater Department Chair and director of Almost, Maine, had a number of reasons to choose this particular play. Some productions performed at Michigan Tech are very symbolic and different than our everyday experiences. However the setting, characters, and plot of Almost, Maine have a certain familiarity.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Abigail Dillon.

Tech Theatre to Perform “Almost, Maine”

With the solar wind electrifying the night sky, the residents of Almost, Maine experience mysterious, life-changing events, falling in and out of love, and in again, in this poignant and funny exploration of personal epiphany on a deep and snowy midwinter’s night.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

“Jazz Club Cabaret” at McArdle

Warm your cold winter bones and nourish your soul with some hot jazz, funk and blues at the Jazz Club Cabaret at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28, in the McArdle Theatre.

Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, says two dynamic groups–Jaztec and Momentum–will perform.

Irish has a broad background in jazz studies as both an educator and performer.

Jaztec continues in its great tradition of jazz standards and contemporary jazz, with their own creative twist. Mark Maguire, guitar; Caleb Roty, sax; Jack Matheson, bass; Michael Coburn, piano/vibes; and Kyle Frazier, drums, have created some wonderful arrangements of well-known tunes.

Momentum features Nick Black, saxes; Laura Black, keyboards; Jacob Posega, bass; and Troy Bouman, drums. They will perform some of the deepest grooves and funkiest tunes in the area.

Read more at Tech Today. Original article submitted by Bethany Jones.

Learn more about small jazz combos at Michigan Tech.

Keweenaw, Color, Design Inspire Beckwith

Mary Ann Beckwith Gallery 2012
Mary Ann Beckwith - Images Now And Then

On a frigid morning, Mary Ann Beckwith is looking over her art exhibit in the Rozsa Gallery and discussing inspiration, hope, teaching and more.

The career-spanning “Now and Then” show, ending Friday, Jan. 27, has given her a chance to reflect on the body of work.

“Color,” is her first answer to the question of what inspires her. “I’m addicted to color,” says the 39-year veteran professor of art. “Living in the land of white, grey, and black much of the year, I’m absorbed by bright color fields.”

Design is important, too, she says. “My approach is not happenstance. I plan my work and try to give people something they have never seen before–something in nature, something in a photo–but I’m planning ahead before I start.”

Article by Dennis Walikainen. Read more at Tech Today.

Kilpela Art Exhibit at DeVos

Untitled Ceramic by Susanne Kilpela
Untitled, Ceramic, by Susanne Kilpela

The DeVos Art Museum in the School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University has a UP Focus Exhibit for March 2 to April 8, 2012. Featured artists are Susanne Kilpela, Carol Phillips and Russ Prather.

The UP: FOCUS series is an annual exhibition highlighting artists who live in or are heavily influenced by the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Susanne Kilpela is a ceramic and installation artist based in Hancock. Carol Phillips and Russ Prather are painters based in Marquette.

Closing Reception: Friday, April 6, 6-8pm

UPDATE: View the UP Focus album on Facebook.