AURA

Region: Keweenaw Peninsula

A jig and a jog to the northeast of Pequaming, and you reach Aura, a rural Finnish farming community with its own community hall on Townline Road. Not so very long ago dances with fiddling were regular events at farm halls like these. Since 1976 the AURA JAMBOREE has been held the third Saturday of July next to the hall here. Now it's extended to Friday evening. It began as a fiddlers' jamboree with traditional music from many countries. The event has evolved into a sort of annual musicians' picnic and dance with over a hundred invited musicians, all unpaid, all playing acoustic instruments, and an audience of thousands. The cost is around $15.
Musicians from southern Michigan and many parts of the U.S. treasure its non-commercial atmosphere. Regulars include the popular Upper Peninsula family group White Water, their friend Helmer Toyras (his roots are in genuine old-time Finnish fiddling), and Art Moilanen of Mass City, the U.P.'s premiere accordionist. Saturday stage performances are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a dance. Each invitee gets about 15 minutes; jam sessions form on the grounds. Though Finnish fiddling is still a big part of the festival, music ranges from traditional to folk to jazz to bluegrass. A neighbor makes his orchard available for camping. See L'Anse Township Park and Big Eric's Bridge for other campgrounds. Call (906) 524-7842 for info. It's also on www.baragatourism.com as soon as the organizers contact it.

To reach Aura, follow Front Street northwest from downtown L'Anse. When you're almost to Pequaming, take the right turn onto Aura Road and continue about 5 miles.

Return to Keweenaw Peninsula

PLACES AROUND AURA TO

Eat Sleep Camp