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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula October 3, 2002 Text © 2002 Michele Anderson and Press Releases from the Little Gem Theatre and the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. Photos © and courtesy Walkin' Jim Stoltz. Reprinted with permission.

Walkin' Jim Stoltz to perform at Little Gem Theatre Oct. 5

Walkin' Jim Stoltz, Montana-based folk artist and Michigan native, will perform a multi-media show, "Forever Wild," at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the Little Gem Theatre in Lake Linden. Jim is also performing in local schools this week. His songs and photos promote consciousness toward wildlands and deep ecological values. (Photo courtesy Walkin' Jim Stoltz. Reprinted with permission.)

Jim is a Michigan native who now makes his home in Montana. He returns to Michigan for a couple months each fall. Since 1974, Jim has walked over 26,000 miles on annual months-long backcountry treks through America’s last wild places.

The "Forever Wild" show is a celebration of wilderness and acts as a springboard for promoting consciousness toward wildlands and deep ecological values. Jim presents a variety of songs written in unprotected wild areas. These are accompanied by slides, of which 75 percent are photos of undesignated wilderness areas.

"I have seen Walkin' Jim many times over the last 15 years and have always come away stunned by the beauty and power of his work," said Fred Young, Michigan Tech University graduate student and founder of the community Eco Lit group. "This concert by Walkin' Jim will not only be a rare treat for those in attendance, but serves as a pilgrimage of sorts for him. Walkin' Jim's grandfather was a miner at C&H and lost his life here in a mining accident."

Jim's view from the Colorado Continental Divide Trail. (Photo by Walkin' Jim Stoltz. Reprinted with permission.)

Young noted that the concert at the Little Gem is made possible by a Michigan Council of the Arts grant through the Copper Country Community Arts Council.

Jim tours with an extensive array of leaflets and pamphlets that provide information on what people can do to help preserve these wild areas. Since 1986, Jim has been touring with this show, which is not so much a soapbox as it is a sharing and inspirational event.

Jim is also performing in local schools this week. Hosted by the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Jim's special multi-media concert for elementary-aged children is titled "The Web of Life." The assembly program is entertaining and educational, conveying respect for wildlife, the interconnectedness of all things in nature, concern for preserving habitat, and the need for humans to live in harmony with their environment.

On Thursday, Oct. 3, Jim will present two programs in the morning at the Chassell School: 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. for children in grades K-2 and 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. for those in grades 3-6. On Thursday afternoon Jim will perform at the Lake Linden-Hubbell Elementary School: 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. for children in grades K-4 and 2 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. for those in grades 5-6.

Earlier this week, Jim presented the "Web of Life" program at White Pine Elementary School, Ontonagon Elementary School, E.B. Holman School and South Range Elementary School.

The Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies has provided a grant to cover 70% of the cost of the assembly programs to schools in Houghton, Baraga, Ontonagon and Gogebic counties. 

To learn more about Jim and see more of his photos, visit his website.

Visit the Little Gem Theatre Web site to access their Fall 2002 calendar of events.

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