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Main Street Calumet has been awarded a $19,500 grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs toward the 2017/2018 season of The Red Jacket Jamboree. The Red Jacket Jamboree, an old-time radio variety show, features stories and songs celebrating the history, culture and landscape of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The programs will be recorded in front of a live audience at the historic Calumet Theatre for future radio broadcast. The first show, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, will be October 14 and 15 and feature alternative folk artist Sean Rowe of New York.
The Red Jacket Jamboree is a collaborative effort between two nonprofit organizations, Main Street Calumet and Real People Media. Main Street Calumet was founded in 2003 with the mission to guide the revitalization of Calumet's historic downtown into an exciting and vibrant district that is attractive to residents and visitors. The district lies within the boundaries of the Keweenaw National Historical Park and Main Street Calumet works to express the local copper mining heritage through preservation, education, and cultural events such as The Red Jacket Jamboree. Leah Polzien, Executive Director of Main Street Calumet says “The Red Jacket Jamboree helps to fulfill this mission, celebrate the community's local history and culture, and stimulates the local economy through tourism.” Main Street Calumet has partnered with Real People Media, a nonprofit with the mission to help people share their stories through literary, visual, performing and media arts. “By combining our skills and resources, we're able to bring a unique experience to Keweenaw residents and visitors,” adds Polzien. The Red Jacket Jamboree evolved out of the show's precursor, The Red Metal Radio Show, which was produced by Main Street Calumet from 2009-2013. The series, written and directed by Oren Tikkanen and other community members, brought historical events to life including the 1913/1914 miners' strike. For the October 14 and 15th performance, The Red Jacket Jamboree will resume this historical narrative in 1915 but the show will segue into contemporary stories and songs from the Copper Country. The show's featured storyteller will be singer-songwriter and naturalist Sean Rowe. Rowe shares his love of family and the natural world through his deep baritone voice which has garnered him national attention. Sean will share the stage with host Lena Dorey, the Red Jacket Jamboree Band and Actors and community guests. The Red Jacket Jamboree would not be possible without this grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, says Rebecca Glotfelty, Executive Director of Real People Media. “We are deeply grateful for the grant and to the people of Michigan who support cultural events in our community. The arts add to the quality of life for our residents and to the visitor experience. We welcome the opportunity to share the stories of our community with the people of Michigan and beyond.” The Red Jacket Jamboree will be scheduled to coincide with other community events, such as the Copper Dog 150 and Pasty Fest to encourage visitors to extend their stay to the Copper Country. The MCACA grant only funds a portion of the cost of the series. The organization will also seek sponsors to underwrite the program. For those wishing to become involved, purchase tickets or to sponsor, please visit www.redjacketjamboree.org.
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 Thank you Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the People of Michigan for supporting The Red Jacket Jamboree in Calumet, Michigan! The project was awarded 19,500 for the 2017/2018 season! Our request from MCACA was 30,000 - so we will need to make up this difference through sponsorships, donations or ticket sales. So we hope to see YOU at The Red Jacket Jamboree on October 14 and 15th. We have a great show for you!
 Got a good fish story? Are you a spinner of tall tales? Real People Media is inviting storytellers of all ages to come share their best story for The Red Jacket Jamboree, Have you ever started a sentence with “You're not going to believe this” or Guess what happened to me? If the answer is yes, then we're interested in hearing your story! So come spin your best yarn about life or work in the U.P.! Stories need not be true but they should be family friendly and be able to be told in under 5 minutes. Storytellers will have assistance with sound affects from The Red Jacket Jamboree actors as well as musical accompaniment. The Red Jacket Jamboree is also accepting poetry submissions for the October Show. The crew is interested in poetry which reflects the Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Sites or relevant to the season. i.e. change in weather, harvest time, upcoming hunting season, etc. Interested Poets/Storytellers should send an email asap to [email protected] to set up a meeting with the Red Jacket Jamboree crew. A preliminary rehearsal will take place the first week in October. Two people will be selected to tell their story in front of a live audience at The Red Jacket Jamboree! Are you visiting the U.P. or the Keweenaw to attend The Red Jacket Jamboree? There's plenty to see and do in addition to our show. Here's just a few ideas to make it a fun-filled weekend. 1. Marquette Maritime Museum: October 15th is the last day that the Marquette Maritime Museum will be open for the season. Take a tour of the museum and the lighthouse! 2. Explore the Quincy Mine in Hancock. Did you know that you can go into a real Copper Mine!? How cool is that. The Mine is located at the top of the hill north of Hancock. They also have a great gift shop. 3. The A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, located on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, is the official mineral museum of the state of Michigan and is a heritage site of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. The museum is definitely a must see when visiting the Keweenaw. 4. Keweenaw National Historical Park Visitor Center - Calumet. Located right at the entrance of 5th Street (Red Jacket Road) The visitor center includes three floors of interactive exhibits on Calumet's copper mining history. 5.Laurium Manor - Laurium (Across the street from Calumet) This stately manor is definitely worth visiting. Or better yet, just book a room. You'll be transported back to 1909 Laurium, that is with wifi and all the modern day amenities. Tell Dave and Julie that The Red Jacket Jamboree sent you!! 6. Brockway Mountain Drive and Copper Harbor. Whether the leaves are at their peak color or past, the view from the top of Brockway Mountain Drive is spectacular. 6. Calumet Art Center. Come take a class on birch bark ornament making at the Calumet Art Center on Saturday, October 14. It's only $25  |
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