COPPER HARBOR — The Copper Harbor Improvement Association Advertising Committee is pleased to announce the 2021 lineup for their annual CHIA Presents Performances in The Park summer entertainment series.

“We had to add two additional dates to the calendar this year,” said Jeff Ihde who, with his wife, Kathy, coordinate the events. “We were really surprised how quickly this year’s calendar was booking up, so we added June 24 and Sept. 2 to the calendar; we were completely booked by Feb. 9.”

“We even have an act that’s never been here before,” said Kathy. “Lloyd Wescoat from Grandpa’s Barn here in Copper Harbor hooked us up with them. The Stapletons are a husband/wife duo from Pittsburgh, PA, who are traveling across the country in a big blue bus with their five children debuting a Great Lakes themed performance called “The Inner Seas.”

“Something else new this season is a concession stand: Zoe’s Trinkets & Treats,” said Jeff. “Concessionaire Zoe Robinson (age 11) and her friends will be selling snacks, soft drinks, art created by local children and Performances in The Park T-shirts and sweatshirts.”

This family-friendly free event is every Thursday evening, from 7 to 9 p.m., June 24 through Sept. 2, in the Donny Kilpela Memorial Park (formerly the Grant Township Park).

The 2021 Season of CHIA Presents Performances in The Park includes:

— Graham Jaehnig (June 24, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.) and Lena Maude (8:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Graham Jaehnig is a local historian. This year, he will speak about the Copper Country mining district during the Civil War. Jaehnig is a historical researcher, mining historian and freelance writer and reporter for the Daily Mining Gazette. He was born and raised in a former mining district and has had a fascination with history all his life. He holds a bachelor’s in history from Michigan Technological University and a master’s in English/creative writing nonfiction from Southern New Hampshire University.

Lena Maude is a singer/songwriter performing both finger-style guitar folk and experimental, folktronica songs. She utilizes a looping pedal for harmonizing, over-dubbing and creating compositions ranging from soothing to cacophonous. Lena’s instrumentation currently includes ukulele, Korg Volca Keys, shakers, Bougarabou hand drum, found objects, and wide-ranging vocals. She writes booky lyrics often inspired by her interest in mythology, psychology, philosophy, and permaculture. All these elements combine for a quirky, endearing performance with a dash of wit!

— (July 1) Matt Moll and Friends

Matt Moll returns for a third season, bringing his funny and eclectic group of musical friends with him. Featuring silliness and music, he brings you and his friends together for an entertaining evening filled with the music of vocals, ukulele, guitar, banjo, and Cajon Beat Box percussion. Expect a few surprises that night!

— (July 8) Kevin and Olivia Blackstone

Dollar Bay residents Kevin and Olivia Blackstone are a popular father/daughter duo. Raised in Escanaba, Kevin moved to Houghton in 1995 to attend Michigan Tech and he never left the area. He spent 14 years working at the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor and is currently working at Rodeo in Houghton. Olivia is 13 years old and is in seventh grade at the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City School. She has been playing “Uke” for five years and playing with her dad for two years. She has performed solo in three school talent shows and performed three songs during one of the Vaudeville shows at the Calumet Theatre. Specializing in guitar, banjo, and baritone ukulele, the Blackstones play covers and original music.

— (July 15) The Stapletons

Casey and Kate Stapleton are a husband/wife harp and guitar duo. Together, they write Baroque Folk rich with hints of Appalachian balladry, Delta blues and echoes of the English Folk revival movement. The Stapletons’ performances include storytelling and song. This summer, they are debuting a Great Lakes themed performance called “The Inner Seas,” which encompasses the history, geography and ecology of the Great Lakes as well as the world of imagination. They will be re-imagining traditional Great Lakes sailing songs such as “The Bigler” and “Red Iron Ore.” On their travels across the country, they are tracing the journey of iron ore from the Iron Range to the steel mills in their hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joining them on their Big Blue Bus Adventure this summer are their five children: Olympia, Francisco, Cordelia, Guinevere, and Santiago (ages 12 months to 10).

— (July 22) English & Irish

Gail English and Mike Irish met back in the ’90s when Mike directed the Michigan Technological University Jazz Lab Band and Gail was singing with Rob Fritz at Fitzgerald’s. The seed was planted for them to perform jazz and blues together which they have been doing ever since. You will be able to hear some of their favorites from Mike’s Jazz Lab tours and Uncle Pete’s BBQ Blues Band when Gail was the guest vocalist.

— (July 29) Uncle Floyd

Uncle Floyd is an acoustic/electric guitar group playing all sorts of favorites from the ’70s until now. The group formed about eight years ago and consists of four local college professors.

Cam Williams is a professor of physical therapy and plays guitar/lead vocals. Tim Schulz is a professor of electrical engineering and plays guitar/vocals. Pete Moran is a professor of material science and engineering and plays bass/harmonica/vocals. And, finally, Dan Fuhrmann is a professor of applied computing and plays keyboards.

Williams and Fuhrman have years of experience in bands, Williams playing in the local rock band Peter Lorre (later Saint), had a record contract in the ’80s and toured the Midwest, and Fuhrmann playing for years in various types of bands from salsa to jazz to rock. “Please come out to see us and enjoy our music,” says Williams.

— (August 5) Mojo Harrington & Friends, featuring Gail English

Marc “Mojo” Harrington has been playing Blues/Blues Rock in clubs since 1980.

Working out of Cedar Falls, Iowa, starting with The Floors, No Control Blues Band; One Thin Dime; The MoJo Show; The MoTones; a house gig at The Uptown Jazz and Blues Club; a house gig at Stebs in Cedar Falls, and MoJo’s Sunday Night Jam. His last band– MoJo and The Mudcats–is sleeping until he gets back with the band for a reunion.

Upon relocating to the Copper Harbor area, he was asked to an acoustic jam at Zik’s Bar. It was the beginning of his acoustic guitar playing–mostly solo–leaving his band behind. Having been offered to play for beer at The Brickside Brewery, Mojo was able to play most nights of the week, honing his skills with different tunings and slide guitar.

“I met Jacob Weigandt at the Brickside a couple of years ago,” says Mojo. “Jake had a Cajon (a wooden percussion box) with him; it was a perfect match for a jam! We get together when we can and perform for the patrons and locals when we can.”

— (August 12) In Spite of Ourselves

Awkwardly folky, In Spite of Ourselves humbly offers an eclectic mix of Americana covers you’ve never heard. Acoustic guitar, banjo, and a prized Oberon (beer) cardboard box are among the many featured instruments, with kazoos making an occasional appearance.

— (August 19) Tapestry

Tapestry is a collective group of five musicians woven together in a multi-faceted collection of musical styles and flavors. The musically diverse backgrounds of each player combine to form a traditional but unique acoustic sound. On any given performance, you can hear music from the 1920s through traditional and current folk music. With a mix of many stringed instruments and up to five-part vocal harmony, Tapestry creates a wonderful music experience.

— (August 26) Powers of Air

Powers of Air is Copper Harbor’s progressive classic rock band. The group united in 2014 with three founding members: Ron Corey on keys, Jim North on all the guitars and Amanda Wais on lead vocals and percussion. After a couple brief hiatuses, the group added two more members which help to fill out the sound and add variation to their performances: Karen Karl does a mini set list on vocals and Forrest Fill keeps rhythm on the drum set. The deep cut song choices and overall energy of the band will keep you on the edge of your seat if you are not already dancing.

— (September 2) Annual Open Mic Night Season Closer Party and Performances in The Park Fundraiser.

Performances is The Park is an outdoor event that showcases both local talent and entertainers from Southern Wisconsin and– this year– Pittsburgh, PA. All the performers “donate” their talents and are happy to accept freewill donations via he Tip Pitchers.

For more information, contact Jeff or Kathy Ihde at (906) 289-4020.