‘The Last Gift’ to be presented

MARQUETTE — The dancers from Marquette Center for Dance will be presenting “The Last Gift,” an original ballet written for Marquette Center for Dance, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Kaufman Auditorium. The production is under the direction of Lynne Bolitho.

The original ballet is a story of a family torn apart by the Bolshevik Revolution and the rise to power of Lenin. Before the war when the father has been gone on business, he always brought his daughter a gift. When he comes home on leave from the war he brings his daughter a music box. Shortly after his family receives word that he has been lost in battle and is presumed dead. As the ballet proceeds we see how the mother and daughter deal with their grief. To escape the realities of the oppression of the Communist government and the loss of her father, the daughter daydreams of happier times. Many of the dances represent her daydreams. At night she often has nightmares. One night she wakes up crying. Her teacher hears her and come to comfort her by bringing out her treasured gifts from her father. When her mother comes in, she realizes that she needs to help her daughter be happy. As they dance, the father unexpectedly appears. He retrieves a special family heirloom from a hidden compartment in the music box. The mother and father present the heirloom to their daughter as they celebrate their reunion.

Both children and adult will enjoy the dancing in the ballet and the story. The ballet will feature an array of dancers from the adorable little teddy bears to the most advanced pointe students who have been working for many months to bring this ballet to life for the audience.

Tickets are available for $15 in advance at the Second Skin Shop or at the box office beginning at 6 p.m. on the nights of the performance.

UPAWS rummage sale dates set

MARQUETTE — The 10th annual Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter rummage sale only happens in June this year.

UPAWS collects donated items from 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

The only sale days are June 21-23.

UPAWS appreciates donated items but is not accepting clothing or shoes. For the list of accepted items visit the website at www.upaws.org.

The sale is in the same place as last year, in the office complex behind Jasmine restaurant (across from Frei Chevrolet) on U.S. 41 just east of the Westwood Mall. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help out at the rummage sale, email Marlene Ombrello at mombrello@chartermi.net.

Lighthouse tours to begin Tuesday

MARQUETTE — Marquette Maritime Museum’s Sunrise & Coffee Lighthouse Tours begin Tuesday.

Bring a camera and join in for a tour at 5:45 a.m. at the Museum. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Pre-registration is required. Call 906-226-2006 or email mqtmaritimemanager@gmail.com for more information and to reserve a ticket.