Michigan

By Ken Carlson, Senior Program Director

A month ago, the Unni Boksasp Ensemble began its tour with a great week in Sterling, IL. The tour included warm connections and happy stories along the way and Flint provided still more.

Monday included a visit and workshop with students at Gear-Up Alternative High School. ABC News 12 paid a visit to cover Unni’s visit.

By Lindajoy Fenley

We left Marquette, MI, this weekend with many memories—big and small. They were born at small schools like Republic (total school population 144) to discussions of major issues at Northern Michigan University, where professors are planning a new curriculum focusing on the Middle East.

Parents, teachers and students at Republic wanted to know how their little school located in rural Upper Peninsula was selected for one of the Israeli Ethnic Ensembles workshops.

By Lindajoy Fenley

Gorgeous autumn leaves, wonderful weather and friendly UP folks have made the beginning of the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble's tour spectacular. The weather is so unseasonably wonderful that we were able to hold our pre-tour meeting with program director Ken Carlson sitting around a picnic table in Presque Isle, a beautiful city-maintained park.

By Shigeyo Henriquez

We left Marquette Sunday morning, feeling a bit gloomy like the weather in Marquette, over cast and 37º, but our memories of Marquette were warm and welcoming. People were appreciative and responsive to our music.

First workshop at Northern Michigan University, we were pleased and surprised to find the students and the professor had some great knowledge of Japanese culture and music.

By Shigeyo Henriquez, tour manager

Beauty and Melody arrived in Marquette, Michigan early on the evening of Sunday, October 18th. This is our last stop of Arts Midwest World Fest tour.

Marquette is beautiful—filled with fall colors, yellow, red, orange, and tall dark green of evergreens.