Emberlight Infuses Diverse Traditions in Ironwood

PENINSULA PROSPERITY

In our new series, we highlight the inspiring success stories of arts and culture projects across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each story showcases the creativity, passion, and impact of local initiatives, individual artists, organizations, and experiences celebrating the people and projects that are enriching communities and fostering growth in the region.

In 2019, Miles Mykkanen, a talented tenor who grew up in Ironwood, proposed an ambitious idea to the Theatre North Board of Directors. He envisioned an arts festival that would not only celebrate local talent but also bring accomplished artists from around the world to the heart of the Upper Peninsula. This idea came to life in 2021, with the inaugural Emberlight Festival, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Ironwood’s arts and culture scene. The festival proved to be a resounding success, offering a chance for local residents and visitors to experience world-class performances right in their own community.

By 2022, Emberlight Festival had built on the momentum of its first season, presenting an even more diverse array of performances, films, exhibits, and events. With support from donors, volunteers, and the community, the festival took a major step forward, officially incorporating as Emberlight Arts, Inc. and gaining nonprofit status. This new chapter enabled the festival to expand its mission and grow into a fully independent arts organization, positioning itself to continue providing world-class artistic experiences in the scenic setting of the western Upper Peninsula.

Emberlight Arts understands that providing access to high-quality cultural experiences also means broadening the artistic perspectives on display. They have sought to expose audiences to diverse voices and stories from beyond the Upper Peninsula, enriching the cultural landscape for everyone in attendance. One of the festival’s standout programs is the Performance Infusions series, which brings artists and audiences together for interactive performances and demonstrations. This initiative, which offers free events on Saturday afternoons during the festival, has provided an opportunity to engage with artists in an intimate setting. The series is designed to connect audiences with the artistry behind various forms of craft and performance, helping attendees understand what it takes to bring an idea to life.

Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings with the Bizhiki Company teaches traditional dance to audience members of all ages at Emberlight Festival 2024.

In 2024, Emberlight Arts applied for and received funding from the Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance through the Michigan Arts and Culture Council mini grants for arts projects program. This grant helped support the festival’s efforts to present a new lineup of performances that would continue to build upon the success of previous years. The funding enabled the festival to bring in a diverse range of artists, providing an opportunity for Ironwood’s audience to experience everything from indigenous dance and storytelling to folk music and traditional craftsmanship.

Throughout the summer, the Performance Infusions series showcased a wide variety of talents, all of which were designed to spark curiosity and invite interaction. One of the most anticipated performances was by the Bizhiki Company, a group led by Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. The theater venue was filled to capacity, and the audience included many children and visitors from out of town. The performance, which included traditional dance, song, and storytelling, was not only entertaining but educational, offering a powerful introduction to the Ojibwe culture for a predominantly non-indigenous audience.

Historic traditions demonstrated during “Logging Legends of Lore.”

The following week, another Performance Infusion brought the past to life through music, storytelling, and historical demonstrations. The program, “Logging Legends and Lore,” featured local historian Larry Peterson and musician Bob Michaels, who shared tales of the logging industry in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. The audience was captivated by the personal stories of local loggers who worked with horses and axes before the days of mechanized logging. The event ended with a live demonstration featuring a Percheron mare, showcasing how horses were used to skid logs through the woods, further immersing the audience in the history of the region. In keeping with the theme of woodworking, Karl Zinsmaster, founder and owner of the wood working studio Saint Maud’s Makerspace, presented “Whittling in the Woods,” a hands-on project encouraging both children and adults to experience the pleasure of working with their hands.

Vince Schueren demonstrates a melodica during the “Fantastic Folk Instruments” performance infusion.

In the final Performance Infusion of the season, “Fantastic Folk Instruments,” Vince Schueren, a local musician, showcased an array of unique instruments, including musical spoons, combs, and even a nose flute. Schueren’s infectious energy encouraged everyone in the audience to try their hand at these simple, homemade instruments, bringing the performance full circle by allowing the attendees to leave with their own creations.

As a result of the success of the 2024 Performance Infusions series, Emberlight Arts has seen a steady increase in attendance, with many regulars returning each week. The event has grown into a major part of the festival, and more families with children began to attend, taking in both the performances and the surrounding Art in the Park exhibit. Volunteers and board members are regularly engaged with the audience, receiving direct feedback that highlights the joy and inspiration the series has provided. The increased attendance and enthusiasm are clear indicators that the series has become an integral part of the local cultural fabric.

With funding provided by the Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance, Emberlight Arts has been empowered to continue providing free, high-quality performances and allow the festival to expand its reach to new audiences. Performance Infusions has brought artists and audiences together in a shared space of learning, appreciation, and creative expression. Through its bold vision, the festival has offered something truly unique to Ironwood and the surrounding communities, and in doing so, cemented its place as a cornerstone of the region’s cultural identity.

Emberlight returns this summer for its fifth anniversary season from June 28 – August 23, 2025 including a brand new line up of Performance Infusions. The full schedule and artists of the 2025 festival will be announced in April. To find out more about Emberlight Arts visit emberlight.org

Have an idea for a story about success in Arts and Culture in the Upper Peninsula? Reach out to us—we are always looking for projects and people to amplify. Email philip@upacalliance.com

Posted on March 14, 2025 in News. Bookmark the permalink.