While students at Michigan Tech often complain about the lack of entertainment options on and off campus, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the area has a historic and well known venue for arts and entertainment. I speak, of course, of the Calumet Theatre, located a mere 15 minute drive away from campus.
The Calumet Theatre opened in 1900 during the golden age of copper mining in the Keweenaw Peninsula. During its early years, many famous performers graced the stage the theater, including John Philip Sousa, Douglas Fairbanks, and Sarah Bernhardt. During the mid-20th Century, the theatre declined with the local economy. Since 1983, the theatre has been administered by the Calumet Theatre Company, who has since restored the exterior of the theatre.
The lineup at the Calumet Theatre this fall is diverse and should attract attention. On Friday Oct. 16 and Saturday Oct. 17, the Missoula Children’s Theatre will be presenting Robinson Crusoe. The show will a performance adapted from Daniel Dafoe’s classic novel by more than 50 local children. The Oct. 16 show will begin at 7 p.m; the Oct. 17 show will begin at 1 pm.
On Friday Nov. 6, the Calumet Theatre will again host the Pink Floyd tribute band, The Machine – The Pink Floyd Experience. The theatre originally hosted The Machine during Sept. 2007. The Machine is known for their faithful adaptations of Pink Floyd’s music, spanning from the early years of Pink Floyd through their successful album “The Wall.”
Dec. 12 features a night with actor, playwright, singer, and Michigan native Jeff Daniels. Known chiefly for his roles in Gettysburg and Dumb and Dumber, Daniels is also an accomplished writer of the screen and theatre, including his ode to deer hunting in Michigan, “Escanaba in da Moonlight.” This event, however, will feature the vocal talents of Daniels, who is also a skilled musician.
Other events at the Calumet Theatre during the fall months include the Omega House Benefit Concert on Saturday Oct. 24 and the Friends of Fashion for Theatre on Sunday Nov. 8.
In addition to these events, Michigan Tech’s musical fraternity Mu Beta Psi hosts Club Indigo, which provides dinner as well as a classic movie at the theatre. During November and December, they will show “Closely Watched Trains” and “Millions” respectively.
“We aim to get people more interested in not only arts such as film, theatre, and music,” explained Mu Beta Psi member Simon Mused, “but also to get more people interested in the arts provided by the Calumet Theatre.”
The fall hours for the Calumet Theatre’s box office are Wednesday through Friday from 12-5 p.m. and 2 ½ hours before each performance.