When: Friday's in August. 9pm. (August 10, 17, 24, 31)
Four episodes of The Red Jacket Jamboree, Michigan's new old-time radio variety show, will be broadcast on Interlochen Public Radio beginning Friday, August 10. The hour-long episodes will air at 9pm Eastern time on FM stations, 91.5 Traverse City; 90.1 Harbor Springs/Petoskey; 89.7 Manistee.
“This is an important milestone for The Red Jacket Jamboree,” remarked Rebecca Glotfelty, Executive Director of Real People Media, the nonprofit organization which produces the show, “Interlochen Public Radio has acknowledged the show's high production quality as well as its content, which shares history and culture in a way that's educational and entertaining for all ages. Although the show is performed/recorded in Calumet and focuses on the history and culture of the Keweenaw Peninsula, it resonates with listeners across the state.”
The Red Jacket Jamboree features stories, music and songs reflecting the history, landscape and culture of the Keweenaw Peninsula. To date, Real People Media has recorded 12 hourlong radio episodes. The show is performed and recorded in front of a live audience at the historic Calumet Theatre in Calumet. The next show on Friday, August 17th celebrate Pasty Fest and the Great Deer Chase mountain bike race which take place on Saturday, August 18 in Calumet. The show will feature indie-folk duo Channing and Quinn of Grand Rapids and Storyteller Bill Jamerson of Escanaba.
“The Keweenaw National Historical Park, which is located in Calumet, is a contributor to the show,” adds Glotfelty, “they write “Madame Blanc,” a humorous sketch in which Madame Blanc uncovers the mysteries and history of Copper Country. The sketch is fun and provides a lot of information.”
Hosted by Lena Dorey, The show also features performances by the Red Jacket Radio Actors, poetry and musings by Martin Achatz, the Poet Laureate of the U.P. and a wide range of music performed by the Copper Cats, the stage band. The band consists of Jerry Younce on guitar, Bill Carrothers on piano, Harry South on bass and Carrie Biolo on percussion and vibraphone. Biolo is also the show's sound effects artist.
“People have described the show as the Michigan version of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion,” remarked Glotfelty. “We were all fans of that show and we occasionally reference it. Madame Blanc, written by Wyndeth Davis, gives a wink and a nod to Garrison's “Guy Noir,' which Garrison himself modeled after the radio drama's of the 30s and 40s.”
The Red Jacket Jamboree is presented by Main Street Calumet and Real People Media, a nonprofit with the mission to help people share their stories through the literary, visual performing and media arts.. The 2017-2018 season is made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Leo S. Guthman Fund, The Michigan Humanities Council, the Keweenaw National Historical Park, business sponsors and private donors.
For more information about the show visit the website: www.redjacketjamboree.org. Tickets for upcoming shows can be purchased online at www.calumettheatre.com or by calling the Calumet Theatre Box Office at (906) 337-2610. The audience is asked to be in their seats 10 minutes prior to the performance.