Performance Series Opens Sept. 7

Northern Nights is the new name for the NMU Performing Arts Series, which has brought top-notch entertainment to campus and the Marquette community since 1989. In addition to the name change, season ticket prices have also been reduced this year.

Five years ago, “International” was added to the series title to reflect a focus on world music. After much study and discussion, a decision was made to change the name to Northern Nights. This revamped series will present an exciting array of performers from many genres and parts of the world, but will retain the high quality and energy that audiences have come to expect. This year’s series is sponsored in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts and Ramada Inn.

The Northern Nights season will open on Friday, Sept. 7 (all shows begin at 7:30 p.m.), with a performance by singer-songwriter Susan Werner. Blending her love of folk music and the great American songbook, Werner has developed a strong fan base throughout North America and Europe. She will perform in Forest Roberts Theatre.

The series continues on Saturday, Oct. 13, with a show by the Homemade Jamz Blues Band. The group will perform in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center. It was featured on CBS Sunday Morning in 2007, touted as America’s youngest blues band, and membershave grown up to compose one of the most exciting blues outfits in the country.

American roots music from the Great Lake State will be performed by Frontier Ruckus on Friday, Nov. 16, in Jamrich 102. Over the past few years, this unassuming acoustic ensemble from Ann Arbor has toured the U.S. and Europe.

The winter semester will kick off with the Celtic rock band The Young Dubliners on Saturday, Jan. 26, in the University Center Great Lakes Rooms. Blending traditional music and instrumentation with the attitude of a great rock n’ roll band, the Young Dubs have been creating whirling jigs on dance floors throughout the United States for more than a decade.

On Saturday, March 16, the series will shift gears toward a more international feel when the Colombian Joropo folk group Cimarrón performs in Forest Roberts Theatre. Cimarrón is the most accomplished llanera group in Colombia. The seven-piece ensemble led by harpist and composer Carlos Rojas has been working for more than 20 years and has performed throughout the world.

Closing out the Northern Nights season will be the three-time Grammy nominated Latin jazz combo Tiempo Libre (below). Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dancevenues, Tiempo Libre’s Miami-based members are true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba. The show will be Thursday, April 18, at Kaufman Auditorium.

Season tickets are more affordable, with a new tiered price structure based on the cost of bringing each group to NMU. Prices are as follows: students and kids, $20; NMU faculty/staff and seniors 60+, $60; general public, $85. Individual ticket prices vary. Tickets are available at al NMU EZ Ticket outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.nmu.edu/tickets or by calling 227-1032. For more information, visit www.nmu.edu/northernnights.