Erickson Center program announced

CURTIS — Bids are being taken now for the 2018 Park Art “Welcome to the ECA” Hand Painted Doors at the Erickson Center for the Performing Arts in Curtis.

The center is now accepting bids for the silent auction of the hand painted doors from Park Art. See the beautifully hand painted doors, each one uniquely representing a letter of the word “welcome,” and place ar bid anytime between now and Sept. 1 at Music in the Park, “Encore!” from 4-7 p.m.

The winning bidder will announced Sept. 1 during the band break. Minimum bid of $100. Call the ECA office for questions or more information. 906-586-9974.

Dance Zone offering free event

MARQUETTE — Dance Zone will offer a free beginner’s level square dance party from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday.

This will be an opportunity to learn the basics of Modern American Square Dancing as well as to see if one would like to learn one of America’s folk dancing forms. A full 12-week class will begin in September.

Not only is square dancing an enjoyable social activity, it is also a mental challenge and physical activity (dancers walk about 2 miles during an evening of square dancing). Plus, modern square dancing uses more interesting music and movements than its earlier styles.

A free trial session is offered at Dance Zone, 1113 Lincoln Ave., Marquette. Call Marge at 906-236-1457 or visit www.dancezonemqt.org for more information.

Dress comfortably and bring low-tread clean-soled shoes to protect knees and the dance floor.

Choral society rehearsals planned

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Choral Society first rehearsal for the December concerts will be from 7-9:30 p.m. Monday.

Rehearsals will continue every Monday evening in Room 250 of the Thomas Fine Arts building at Northern Michigan University.

Singers may register and join the MCS prior to the rehearsals Monday and Sept. 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be no rehearsal on Labor Day.

Semester dues will be $30 plus the cost of music. Selections for this concert will be “Magnificat” (JS Bach) CF Peters Urtext; and “Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme Cantata 140” (JS Bach) Kalmus edition.

The concerts, scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16 in St Peter Cathedral (two weeks later than the usual first December weekend date), will be the culmination of this autumn’s city-wide BachFest Marquette — marking the 333rd anniversary of Bach’s birth.

For those who plan far ahead, especially tenors and basses: the 2019 spring concert is planned around the Rachmaninoff Vespers and some may have heard rumors about the stamina required for this wonderful a cappela choral work. Consider joining MCS and singing the Bach this term to get vocally ready for the Rachmaninoff next spring.

New members are very welcome; there are no auditions.The MCS is directed by Dr. Erin Colwitz — NMU Director of Choral Music and a specialist in Baroque and early classical music.

For additional information, call the NMU Department of Music (906-227-2563) or Professor Colwitz at 906-227-2308 (email: ecolwitz@nmu.edu).

Craft bazaar vendors sought

MARQUETTE — Vendors are being south for the Fall Craft Bazaar taking place in early October at the West Branch Township Hall.

Tables are $10 each for vendors wishing to sell items or display merchandise. Call Mick at 906-360-3018 for more information.

The bazaar is being put on by the South County Fund Committee Women Who Care, a non-profit organization. It is taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6.