“It’s been really fun putting this together,” said Bradley of the unique joint performance of the two U.P. born and raised artists in a press release. “Steve was my student years ago during my full time teaching days, and recently, after reading some of my work, Steve, who is a teacher himself now, suggested we perform together. Having seen Steve perform his original songs, I was thrilled at the idea.”

Hooper as Under This Cold Sky, performs original songs steeped in U.P. history and lore.

“Lyrically these songs are clever, insightful and rich with metaphor,” said Bradley. “And Steve performs them with a sense of humor and wonderful musicianship.”

Bradley and Under this Cold Sky (Hooper) will kick off their U.P. tour with Bradley reading prose and poetry from his novels “Winter Heart” and “Summer Rounds” interspersed with Hooper’s lively, original U.P. folk music at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ishpeming Public Library.

Upper Peninsula novelist and poet B.G. Bradley along with U.P. folk singer Steve Hooper, pictured, who performs as Under This Cold Sky, will present their prose, poetry and music jointly at local venues in the coming weeks. (Courtesy photo)

The joint performances will continue at Ishpeming’s Joy Center, 1492 Southwood Drive, at 7 p.m. Aug. 13; the Marquette Regional History Center at 6 p.m. Aug. 15; the Munising Public Library at 6 p.m. Sept. 27; and at Uptown Gifts in Ishpeming beginning at 11 a.m. Nov. 24 and continuing all that afternoon.

Bradley will also be performing readings and signings solo locally, at Uptown Gifts at 11 a.m. Aug. 11 and continuing all day, and will also be doing a reading and signing in conjunction with Snowbound Books at Peter White Public Library in Marquette on Sept. 20.

All performances will be followed by book and CD sales and signings.