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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula July 26, 2002 Press release © 2002 Keweenaw Krayons. Published with permission. Photo © 2001 Karin Emond. Reprinted with permission.

Thimbleberry Jam Fest, art sales in Mohawk Park July 27

MOHAWK -- Music, art and thimbleberry jam will come together for “Music in the Park” and the “Thimbleberry Jam Fest” from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 27, in Mohawk’s Allouez Township Park. Several acts are being featured, including Tom Katalin, playing country and light rock music; “Organized Chaos,” playing classic rock and country music; and “The Country Drifters,” performing traditional country tunes.

Barb Perrault of Centennial Location fills a jar with her thimbleberry jam. Barb will be on hand with her jam at the Thimbleberry Jam Fest in the Allouez Township Park in Mohawk Saturday, July 27. (File Photo © 2001 Karin Emond. Reprinted with permission.)

Tom Katalin has been a local favorite for many years. His vocal delivery is reminiscent of Garth Brooks, and his guitar style varies from classic flat-top to Country Swing. When backed by the band, Silverado, the show kicks it into high gear with solid Country Rock and great dance tunes.

“Organized Chaos” features Dan Caron on guitar and vocals and Mike Luusua on keyboard and vocals. They have been delighting audiences all around the Copper Country during their inaugural year. Mike and Dan also are key players behind the scene, managing the stage and providing Front–of–house audio.

“The Country Drifters” include long-time favorite Ron Masters and friends. Their foot-tappin’ classic country style will guarantee a smile on your face and your feet on the dance floor! 

A special featured group this year, playing during the early evening, is a local Keweenaw classic rock youth band -- “Blurred Thoughts.” Graham Parsons of Farmer’s Block is the lead singer; Dave Larson of Calumet plays drums;  and Dan Schmitt, also from Calumet, is the band’s guitarist.

In addition, there will be jazz, polka, swing, rock and roll and a whole lot more from your local favorite artists and some newcomers, too!

And, while the musicians are “jamming,” area artists will be selling their thimbleberry jam and jam creations, including Barb Perreault with her thimbleberry jam and the Carriage Gift House in Eagle Harbor with hand-designed thimbleberry cards and shirts.

Also included is a concession featuring pop, coffee, bottled water, pasties, hot dogs, sloppy joes and baked goods. Bring a chair or blanket and plan to stay the day and evening. A $3 donation for the Music in the Park -- sponsored by the Mohawk Park Committee -- supports park improvements. The Thimbleberry Jam Fest is sponsored by Keweenaw Krayons, and made possible with the support of the Copper Country Community Arts Council, a program of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. 

Thanks to the mini-grants awarded to these organizations, and to local support, two more Keweenaw concerts will be held in August.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Keweenaw Polka Fest features two distinct styles of polka: Yankovich and traditional Scandinavian. The Polka Kings of South Range will get the toes tapping with Yankovich-style polka music starting at 7 p.m. in Ahmeek's Gabrielle Chopp Park. The popular, local group began in 1956 and includes: Bob Raeffeli on the accordion, Scott St. Peter on the drums and Kim Strieter on bass. The Polka Kings play mostly music by Frankie Yankovich, which often include polkas sung with Croatian lyrics. They also play some waltzes, two-steps and more. 

Les Ross, Sr. and the Finnish American All Stars of Negaunee will follow with an hour of Scandinavian-style polkas. "Les Ross, Sr. ja Ystävät (and Friends)" play traditional Finnish and Scandinavian tunes, including haunting waltzes, lively jenkkas, rockin' schottisches, melancholy immigrant love songs and high-stepping polkas.

Blues and jazz come to Eagle River at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13 with the "Real Time Jazz Band" and guest artists. Besides performing a broad repertoire of jazz ranging from classic standards of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, Real Time also plays blues and jazz by Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, along with original compositions by co-leaders Mike Irish and Charles White. Real Time includes Mike Irish on guitar, Charles White on keyboards and vocals, Dave Reese with acoustic and electric basses, Mark Lucier on drums and Kirstin White on vocals and trumpet.

The concert is expected to last long enough for concert goers to hear blues and jazz "by the setting sun" over Lake Superior. Also, this year, those who set up their most creative picnic supper on the lawn before the concert will be eligible for a door prize.

Community support comes from Wells Fargo Bank, International Paper, Upper Peninsula Power Company (a WPS subsidiary), U.P. Engineers and Architects, Eagle River Inn and Fitzgerald’s Restaurant, Clarence and Yvonne Fisher, ABC 10 and Tu-Mar Broadcasting.

For more information, call Keweenaw Krayons at the Ramblin' Rose Arts Center in Mohawk at 337-4706. Visit the Ramblin' Rose Arts Center's newly updated Web site for more information about activities for all ages at the Center, home of Keweenaw Krayons, in Mohawk.

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