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		Joe Kirkish Posted: Jan. 1, 2002  Updated: May 30, 2005 Email: joek@mtu.edu

Guest columnist Joe Kirkish, of Houghton, is a retired Michigan Technological University professor of communications, photographer and film and theatre critic. Despite "retiring" about 13 years ago, Joe has continued his untiring efforts to build appreciation for the arts in the local communities.

With all his volunteer activities and his continued creative work, it's hard to believe Joe celebrated his 80th birthday on May 23, 2005.

Joe Kirkish exhibits his photos at the December 2004 Poor Artists' Sale in Calumet. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

"Seriously, it happened so fast; the age sneaked up on me," Joe writes. "When I woke up Monday (23rd) and suddenly realized I was an octogenarian, I thought, odd, I don't feel any different than when I went to sleep last night at 79."

Although he was reprimanded by a local radio station for not telling them about the event, Joe noted the word got around quite well.

"Emails, phone calls, cards, even some nice gifts in the mail -- and a wonderful capping of the day at Copper Harbor with friends (the wife cooks nothing but great French cuisine à la Malcolm, right in her kitchen!)," Joe said. "Returned home that night, rich with good food and wine, with that huge, orange moon following me all the way to the bridge. Next to the May 23 I spent on top of a hill in Istanbul in a sultan's rose garden -- smelling the flowers, listening to Arabic music from hidden speakers, chewing on a simit and drinking ayran, while down below I could see the Bosphorus and hear all the muezzin chanting 'Allah, ya achbar."' What a day that was, too.*

Joe still spends much of his time reading to senior citizens at Still Waters Assisted Living in Calumet. He visits them three times a week, sometimes showing a film as well. Once a week he shows a film to seniors at the Bluffs in Houghton, and once a month a film at Little Brothers in Hancock.

"I bring them golden oldies and musicals," he said. "I'm enjoying this a lot because it gives me a focus each day."

Once a month Joe also gives a slide show for residents at Portage Point in Hancock. Joe also drives Still Waters seniors to Calumet Theatre events. 

Joe often drives a van full of senior citizens from Calumet’s Still Waters Assisted Living Home to Calumet Theatre events. In this photo, he stands reflective in front of the van, which is also reflecting both Joe (in profile, to the right) and the theatre across the street.

Over the years, Joe has received many awards for his photography. Last year (2004) he was very pleased to receive international recognition from Photo Life, the best Canadian photo magazine, which published a portfolio of his photos and a long article. The magazine allows only 15% of contributions from outside Canada. 

"Naturally, I was thrilled and honored," Joe said. "It's a marvelous photo mag; I wanted to be in it for years. Beat out the rest of the world that time!"

This year (2005) Joe was pleased to have two of his black-and-white photos included in the Culture and Agriculture art show in the New Visions art gallery in Marshfield, Wis. The show features all sorts of media dealing with Wisconsin's great agricultural region. Joe also exhibits his photos in Marshfield's adjoining art show, which includes about 200 exhibitors from the Midwest. In 2001 he received their Best of Show award.

At the Dec. 1, 2001, Poor Artists' Sale in Calumet, Joe Kirkish poses with some of his photos and his "Best of Show" ribbon earned at the 2001 Art Fair in Marshfield, Wis. (Photo by Michele Anderson)

Joe's 2001 awards also include other photography awards of excellence, some publications, and the chance to create a series of abstractions projected onto a huge backdrop for Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" -- with wonderful results, he says.

"In that category (photography), my cup runneth over," Joe writes in a December 2001 email letter. 

This Clothesline photo by Joe Kirkish was selected as poster for an annual Midwestern art show in 2001. (Photo copyright and courtesy Joe Kirkish)

Among Joe's many awards is that of 1999 MTU Alumnus of the Year. He also received an Award of Excellence in the 2001 MTU Spring Art Show.

The year 2001 also brought Joe an award in the "personality" category.

"Made it onto TV again, this time in some sort of "Hero of the Month" interview, which was fun; the MC shot me in every room of the house except for closets and the bathroom, 90-minutes of effort for 90 seconds of air time. (So, Andy Warhol, I still have 13:30 to go.)," Joe writes.

Joe, who has a Ph.D. in Communication Skills from the University of Michigan, began teaching in the Humanities Department at Michigan Tech in 1954. Besides teaching freshman English and various speech courses, he originated two film appreciation classes and three photography classes. He also directed plays, wrote both stage and radio plays and originated the annual Michigan Tech Arts Festival and WGGL-FM. After joining the Calumet Theatre Board, he instigated Club Indigo, a nine-year-old monthly event that brings good food and good films to the Calumet Theatre. 

Joe says he is "now busier than ever" and finds it hard to say "NO" to requests for his volunteer services and his talents. 

In addition, Joe has published photos and exhibited in galleries all over the world, from Japan to the Riviera to the United States. Joe says he is "still going strong with constant experiments, exploring new fields without following superficial fad trends."

Joe Kirkish also writes a column, "From the Catbird Seat," for The Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton.

*Editor's note: A simit is a delicious Turkish pastry, somewhat like a soft pretzel, but ring-shaped, usually with sesame seeds. Ayran is a yogurt-type drink.

Viewpoints

Gore's Inconvenient Truth "stunning"

By Joe Kirkish  Posted 08/29/2006  

HOUGHTON -- Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is scheduled for a limited engagement, at 7 p.m. and at 9 p.m., through Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Lode in Houghton. Film critic Joe Kirkish calls it "stunning," gives it a grade of A, and says, "Everyone should run, not walk" to see Gore's impressive message on the time bomb that threatens with global warming. more

International Movie Night, Club Indigo to show Chinese films

By Joe Kirkish  Posted 11/16/2005 

HOUGHTON -- Joe Kirkish describes two very different Chinese films to be shown this week. The award-winning documentary Mardi Gras: Made in China will begin the MTU International Movie Night series at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in Room 135 of Fisher Hall on the Michigan Tech campus. Admission is free and open to the public. This film describes the harsh working and living conditions of young Chinese women who make plastic beads, in the largest Mardi Gras bead factory in the world, for the annual Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. On Friday, Nov. 18, at the Calumet Theatre, the Club Indigo food/film event will present another Chinese movie -- Shaolin Soccer -- written, directed and starred in by Stephen Chow, who has made an international name for himself with his satires on two famous Chinese sports: kung fu and soccer. more

Club Indigo to feature Anatomy of a Murder at Calumet Theatre Aug. 19

By Joe Kirkish  Posted 08/15/2005

HOUGHTON -- Film critic Joe Kirkish offers two movie reviews for this week -- the August Club Indigo classic film, Anatomy of a Murder, to be shown Friday, Aug. 19, at the Calumet Theatre, and March of the Penguins, a documentary Joe calls a "must see" on the big screen at the Lode Theatre in Houghton. The Club Indigo film begins at 7:15 p. m., preceded at 6 p. m. by an Upper Peninsula buffet from chef Erik Karvonen of the Eagle River Fitzgerald Restaurant. Keweenaw Now adds some highlights from a WNMU Public Radio 90 interview by Stan Wright, who spoke with Kirkish about the award-winning Anatomy of a Murder, filmed in the Marquette area in 1959. more

Club Indigo to present Casablanca July 8

By Joe Kirkish  Posted 06/28/2005

HOUGHTON -- Film critic Joe Kirkish gives a preview of the July Club Indigo feature film, Casablanca, to be shown Friday, July 8, at the Calumet Theatre. Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, is set at the height of World War II -- a timely movie about refugees from Europe seeking asylum in the notorious Moroccan city, where they wait and hope for a passage to freedom. Joe calls Casablanca not only a classic, but "the greatest romance of all times." Movie begins at 7:15 p.m. (with a vintage Loony Toon included), preceded by an all Mediterranean buffet from the Keweenaw Co-op at 6 p.m. more

Club Indigo to present Hitchcock film June 3

By Joe Kirkish  Posted 05/30/2005

HOUGHTON -- The Mu Beta Psi music fraternity presents the June food and film event (Club Indigo) Friday, June 3, at the Calumet Theatre. The movie is vintage Alfred Hitchcock, Foreign Correspondent (1940), in which the great director of suspense mixes comedy with seriousness in a political situation. Kirkish notes this film has been considered by some critics to be Hitchcock's finest and most important film. The movie begins at 7:15 p.m., preceded at 6 p.m. by a Dutch gourmet buffet created by chef Erik Karvonen of Eagle River's Fitzgerald restaurant. Reservations for the buffet must be made at least a day in advance, by calling the Theatre: 337-2610. Note: Guest columnist Joe Kirkish recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Happy Birthday, Joe! more

Club Finndigo to present Kaurismaki's Juha Jan. 21

By Joe Kirkish  Posted 01/19/2005

HOUGHTON -- As a prelude to Hancock's annual Heikinpäivä celebration, the Calumet Theatre will present well known Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki's Juha as its third annual Club Finndigo, at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, following a Finnish buffet at 6 p. m. Joe Kirkish calls Juha "a modern silent movie in a richly handsome and detailed black and white -- complete with sound effects and an award winning musical score written expressly for this movie." A short, prize-winning feature titled Finland, Winter Wonderland will also be shown. Club Finndigo will kick off the weekend Heikinpäivä events that culminate on Saturday night with a grand buffet and dance in Finlandia Hall on the Finlandia University campus. more

Fahrenheit 9/11 exposes; Spider-Man 2 dazzles

Posted 07/05/2004

HOUGHTON -- Two movies in town this week -- both by talented filmmakers -- are top box-office attractions. While the first may be both thought-provoking and disturbing, the second is dazzlingly escapist. Keweenaw Now guest columnist and film critic Joe Kirkish offers reviews of Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, winner of the Palme d'or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, and of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2, a crowd pleaser with dazzling special effects. more

Club Indigo to present Charade April 25

Posted 04/24/2003

CALUMET -- The Mu Beta Psi music fraternity will present Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in the 1963 suspenseful thriller Charade at the Calumet Theatre's Club Indigo at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, April 25. The film will be preceded at 6 p.m. by a gourmet buffet provided by chef Eric Karvonen of the Fitzgerald Restaurant in Eagle River. Admission to both the buffet and film is $13. Movie alone, $3.50. Call 337-2610 for buffet reservations. Guest columnist Joe Kirkish reviews Charade and some movies currently playing in the local area. more

Moore's Bowling for Columbine less daring than Roger

Posted 02/19/2003

HOUGHTON -- Guest columnist Joe Kirkish finds Michael Moore's new documentary, Bowling for Columbine, somewhat disappointing compared to the filmmaker's first success, Roger and Me, in which Moore attacked General Motors from the point of view of laid-off workers in his hometown of Flint, Mich. Joe also reviews two films now playing for the younger set, Daredevil and The Jungle Book 2. more

Little Gem Theatre to feature Harold and Maude

By Joe Kirkish Posted 08/08/2002

HOUGHTON -- The Little Gem Theatre in Lake Linden continues to present golden oldies to a receptive audience. Coming up at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, will be Hal Ashby's Harold and Maude -- a film about an offensive eccentric who becomes a beacon in the life of a self-destructive rich boy. Joe Kirkish reviews this and other movies now playing in the local area. more

Club Indigo to feature Citizen Kane July 19

Posted 07/18/2002

HOUGHTON -- The Calumet Theatre's Club Indigo will present CITIZEN KANE at 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 19. Guest columnist Joe Kirkish notes in his review that this Orson Welles classic has been called "the greatest single movie ever made." Keweenaw Co-op chefs will create a "Hollywood New Wave" cuisine for the gourmet buffet at 6 p.m. For a reservation call the theatre at 337-2610. Joe also reviews other films playing in the local area. more

Club Indigo to feature Strictly Ballroom

Posted 06/20/2002

HOUGHTON -- Mu Beta Psi music fraternity presents the June Club Indigo at the Calumet Theatre Fri., June 21, with the light-hearted, romantic Australian comedy, Strictly Ballroom. An all-Australian buffet, catered by Chef Chris of Northern Lights in Houghton, will be served at 6 p.m., the movie following at 7:15 p.m. Guest columnist Joe Kirkish reviews this and other movies playing in the local area. more

 Little Gem Theatre to show Exodus June 6

Posted 06/04/2002

HOUGHTON -- "Exodus" will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at at the Little Gem Theatre in Lake Linden. Guest columnist Joe Kirkish reviews this 1960 film adaptation of the Leon Uris novel, which chronicles the post-World War II partition of Palestine into a homeland for Jews. Joe also reviews eight other films now playing in the local area. more 

Club Indigo to present Some Like it Hot

Posted 02/14/2002

HOUGHTON -- Guest columnist Joe Kirkish says there's a joke going around the Calumet Theatre. "Seems the two films selected for the winter months Club Indigo programs are ironically titled. January's film, Alice's Restaurant, was foodless; and now the February film, coming during the coldest month of the year, is entitled Some Like It Hot," he says in his review of the classic comedy to be presented by the MBY music fraternity at the historic Calumet Theatre on Friday, February 15, at 7:15 p.m. more

Lord of the Rings disappointing, violent, repetitive

Posted 01/01/2002

HOUGHTON -- Guest columnist Joe Kirkish expresses disappointment in Lord of the Rings and reviews some other films showing in the local area. more

Harry Potter offers fantasy, visual delights

Posted 11/22/2001

HOUGHTON -- Guest columnist and film critic Joe Kirkish says Harry Potter is a visual delight with great acting to boot. In a post script, Kirkish offers his suggestions for fine video viewing and possibilities for next year's Club Indigo at the Calumet Theatre. more

Club Indigo, local movies offer escape from reality

Posted 11/16/2001

HOUGHTON -- This season's last Club Indigo film, A Christmas Story, which will be shown at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Calumet Theatre, is delightful nostalgia, while at least one local feature offers wholesome entertainment for the whole family. more

Mystery, sentiment, silly sex mark local movie fare

Posted 10/04/2001

HOUGHTON -- Guest columnist Joe Kirkish reviews two films playing locally – Hearts in Atlantis and Zoolander, both rated PG-13 more