Kaufman Auditorium

09/01/2026

🎭 What a wonderful way to kick off Kaufman Auditorium’s 2026–2027 season!

We were excited to welcome Marquette Area Public Schools staff to Kaufman for their Professional Development Day, bringing everyone together to set the tone for the school year ahead.

It was a great way to begin a new year for MAPS and a new season at Kaufman Auditorium!

Here’s to an exciting year ahead filled with education, arts, performances, and community.

See you at Kaufman! 🎶✨

08/31/2026

A conversation with John Churchville of the C.A.R.Ma Quartet

08/23/2026

Interested in the history behind Kaufman Auditorium and the Graveraet School building?

📘 A History of the Graveraet School: Marquette, Michigan researched and presented by Sara Cambensy offers a fascinating look into the people, vision, and legacy that helped shape one of Marquette’s most treasured community spaces.

From the origins of the Graveraet School and Kaufman Auditorium to the lasting impact of the Kaufman family and the arts in our community, this book is a meaningful read for anyone who loves local history, education, architecture, or Marquette itself.

We’re excited to share that the book is available locally at:

📍 Marquette Regional History Center
📍 Snowbound Books in Marquette

Whether you’re a longtime community member, a former student, performer, or simply curious about the story behind this historic space, this book is a wonderful addition to your collection.

Thank you to Sara Cambensy for helping preserve and share this important piece of Marquette history.

08/21/2026

✨We are excited to share some wonderful news from Kaufman Auditorium! ✨

Kaufman Auditorium Executive Director Dr. Athena Stanley has been selected for the Michigan Arts and Culture Council’s (MACC) 2026–2027 Rising Leaders cohort, joining 16 arts and culture professionals from across Michigan and representing the Upper Peninsula in this year’s cohort.

“I am truly honored to be joining the Rising Leaders! I am especially excited for the opportunity to learn alongside arts and culture professionals from across Michigan, build relationships, and bring new ideas and connections back to Kaufman Auditorium and our community.”

Thank you to The Mining Journal for highlighting this exciting opportunity and the importance of continued leadership and collaboration in Michigan’s arts and culture community!

Read the article:
https://www.miningjournal.net/news/local/2026/08/local-resident-named-to-state-rising-leaders-group/ #:~:text=Athena%20Stanley%2C%20executive%20director%20of,representative%20on%20the%20state%20list.

Send a message to learn more

08/18/2026

Join us for an evening of Celtic music while supporting Kaufman Auditorium!

The Knockabouts perform Celtic music spanning many traditions, regions, and time periods. The band features Barbara Rhyneer on fiddle and vocals, Daniel Truckey on guitar, bouzouki, and vocals, and Tim DeMarte on bodhrán, vocals, and guitar.

🎟 Tickets: $20
Available at the door or in advance through NMU Ticketing.

🎫 Purchase tickets:
tickets.nmu.edu
📞 (906) 227-1032
https://nmu.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?Id=4111

Thank you for supporting Kaufman Auditorium through this special fundraising concert. We look forward to seeing you there!

08/12/2026

🎶 Tickets are on sale for Peter Madcat Ruth’s C.A.R.Ma. Quartet at Kaufman Auditorium! 🎶

Join us Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 PM for an evening of eclectic traditional and improvisational music blending blues, folk, jazz, and world music.

C.A.R.Ma. brings together an incredible group of veteran Michigan musicians, including two-time Grammy Award winner Peter Madcat Ruth and Grammy Award-winning Marquette native John Churchville, along with Dan Ripke and Brennan Andes.

🎟 General Public: $20
🎓 NMU Students: $15
🚪 Doors open at 6:30 PM
💺 General admission seating

📍 Kaufman Auditorium, 611 North Front Street, Marquette, MI

Get your tickets today:
https://nmu.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=4237&p=1

We’re looking forward to welcoming C.A.R.Ma. to Marquette again, and we hope you’ll join us!

08/02/2026

🎶 Save the Date! 🎶

Kaufman Auditorium is excited to welcome Peter Madcat Ruth's CARMa Quartet to Marquette!

Join us on Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 PM for an unforgettable evening of eclectic traditional and improvisational music blending blues, folk, jazz, rock, and world music.

Featuring two Grammy Award-winning musicians:
Peter Madcat Ruth – internationally acclaimed harmonica virtuoso
John Churchville – Grammy Award-winning tabla player

The CARMa Quartet includes:
C – John Churchville (tabla)
A – Brennan Andes (bass)
R – Dan Ripke (guitar & vocals)
Ma – Peter Madcat Ruth (harmonica, ukulele, jaw harp, kalimba & vocals)

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Kaufman Auditorium

Stay tuned for ticket information and more details. We can't wait to share this incredible evening of music with you!

08/01/2026

07/31/2026

💙🫐 What an incredible Blueberry Dance Festival!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s festival such a wonderful celebration of dance, learning, and community. We are grateful to our talented local and visiting instructors, our judges, every dancer, showcase performer, competitor, volunteer, and every audience member who joined us at Kaufman Auditorium.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2026/07/31/blueberry-dance-festival-showcases-local-talent

A competition also was hosted, where dancers were judged on technique, musicality, performance, choreography, and other skills.

07/12/2026

🫐💃 The countdown is on!

The 15th Annual Blueberry Dance Festival is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome dancers and community members to Kaufman Auditorium for two days of movement, learning, and celebration!

✨ Wednesday, July 29
FREE Drop-In Dance Classes
🕘 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Open to all ages and abilities!

✨ Thursday, July 30
Master Classes with Emilee Iuvara, a Pro Cheerleader
Contemporary, Jazz & Pom
🕘 8:30 AM–4:00 PM

🌟 Finish the festival by joining us for the Blueberry Dance Festival Showcase & Competition at 7:00 PM!

📍 Kaufman Auditorium
611 N. Front Street, Marquette

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register for the master classes and competition, and to learn more about the drop-in class schedule.

Thank you to Second Skin Shop for supporting the Blueberry Dance Festival and the MSHS Dance Team.

We hope to see you there for this exciting Marquette tradition!