Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM LAVENTURE
Ironwood — Live entertainment returns to First Fridays starting with the Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company.
Woodland Sky, a theatrical, authentic performance group of Ojibwe, Menominee, Potawatomi, Lakota and Apache nation dancers, will perform at 6 p.m. Friday at the Ironwood Downtown City Square on the corner of Aurora and Lowell Streets. The members share stories from their heritage using traditional songs and dances, according to the group.
“I am just excited to be adding more variety to these musical performances,” said Amy Nosal, chair of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority and a First Friday committee member. “We have not had a chance to host Native American performers.”
First Friday starts at 4 p.m. with merchant tables, art vendors and other activities at the city square.
“It should be very fun and entertaining,” said Time Erickson, community development specialist for the city of Ironwood, and First Friday committee member.
There will not be a First Friday movie at the Historic Ironwood Theatre for June as the theatre is booked on Friday for a 6 p.m. dance recital for the students of the Bethany Ann Hellen Studios. This is the first live performance at the theatre since the start of the pandemic shutdown in March 2020 and opens the theatre for the summer season.
“Life is returning to normal but we’re not there yet,” said Zona Wick, president of the Historic Ironwood Theatre Board, in a Wednesday press release.
The COVID 19 pandemic is far from over and although fewer people are being hospitalized and dying the 50.7% of eligible people have been vaccinated in Gogebic County and 52.1% in Iron County provide some confidence to reopen with some safety protocols, Wick said. HIT is committed to protecting children aged 11 and under who cannot be vaccinated and those adults who have not yet been vaccinated and are not yet protected by herd immunity, she said.
“This means the HIT board is requiring the audience wear masks to attend the three dance studio recitals which are being offered over the next three weeks,” Wick said. “As president of HIT and a public health nurse, I ask you to please get your vaccine so we can look forward to 100% capacity later this summer and fill the theatre with great entertainment and music.”
Seating will be by reservation only and is socially distanced, she said. There will be no concessions since eating and drinking require mask removal. Hand sanitizer and masks will be available at the door.
“Our spirits are on the rise as we prepare to open the doors on June 4,” Wick said. “We can’t wait to see our local children showing off their talent. We ask for your understanding and cooperation in following the rules the HIT board has set to assure the health and safety of our community.”
The Ten Minute Tuesdays virtual performances are ending with the opening of the theatre.
According to Erickson, the July 2 First Friday will feature Myron Elkins and the Dying Breed, a promising group out of Kalamazoo that was limited to a livestream First Friday stage performance without a live audience for their first appearance in Ironwood last September.
The Aug. 6 First Friday will feature Superior Horns and Blue Ice, an area band described as a full horn and rhythm section that plays everything from Count Basie to Steely Dan.
“They are always a very good band and fun to listen to,” Erickson said. “We are working on a contract.”
The Emberlight Festival will provide much of the entertainment and activities around the time of the Sept. 3 First Friday, he said. The First Friday committee is working with the festival committee to identify entertainment that will fit within the scope of festival events, he said.
The Ironwood City Commission unanimously approved a resolution declaring the month of June as Pride, Diversity and Inclusivity Month.
A Pride Picnic will be held in the Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 12 at the city square as a social awareness piece to celebrate LGBT Pride Month in the U.S. A yoga in the park event will follow on Sunday, mid-morning, June 13, at Depot Park. “This presents more opportunities for people to come together downtown,” Nosal said.
The committee that led to the resolution includes members that have worked the past year to make Ironwood an even more diverse, inclusive and welcoming city, said Mayor Annette Burchell at the meeting.
First Fridays entertainment is possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs mini-grant. The events are also sponsored by the city of Ironwood, downtown Ironwood businesses and organizations, and the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority.
