Folkfest returns to Manistique

Manistique resident Jena Osterhout performs pop classics at Manistique Folkfest. Jena Osterhout has always dreamed of being a singer despite her stage fright. However, growing up in the southern part of Michigan’s upper peninsula, there are not many opportunities to perform publicly. 

“Folkfest is a festival is a festival that goes on every summer in Manistique, and it just means a lot to me because I’ve been coming here every year because I grew up in Manistique and I have a passion for music and I’ve always wanted to sing,” said Osterhout. 

The annual two-day festival hosts “Yoopers Got Talent”, a local talent display that presents Osterhout with the opportunity to perform. Yooper is slang for someone who lives in the Upper Peninsula. “So, when I got old enough and worked out of my stage fright, and I finally, when I was 12 years old, got to sing at Folkfest, and I’ve been doing it every year since,” said Osterhout.

The Art Lab is a collaborative, creative space for all

An art museum has made it’s way onto Grand River, but it’s not your typical one-stop shop. The Art Lab is a creative and collaborative art museum, where people can be involved hands-on or just visit the art pieces. Located directly across the Broad Art Museum, students and community members can join studio sessions to learn how to create things. “We are a space that has gallery, as well as studio space where you can engage in hands-on activities where you can make a little bit of your own art, we also have lots of social space, a store, we hope to see both visitors from the campus and the community.” Director of Education at Broad Art Museum, Michelle Word said.