Jessica did it again, first the opera and today an organ music presentation. The great pipe organ in St. Ann's, a cathedral like former Catholic church that has been restored to a regional cultural center, is played just a few times per year. So we take a taxi from Houghton to Calumet at about 3 PM. After we check out the town and visit the local Copper Country museum (the downtown is beautiful with many old brownstone building from the copper mining days), we find a eatery called the Michigan Pub. Jessica and I have the fish and chips (yum) and Patrick has the "best hamburger he has ever had." After a great supper I find a park bench and continue reading my book while Patrick and Jessica continue to explore the town.
At the appointed hour we all go to St Ann's. The cultural center displays are very well done and interesting. They focus on story tellers of the area, from the per-historic Native Americans to current times.
At the appointed hour we all go to St Ann's. The cultural center displays are very well done and interesting. They focus on story tellers of the area, from the per-historic Native Americans to current times.
Time for the music to begin, this is what we have been waiting for. What? A piano - not an organ. Hey, this is a hymn sing along. What?? We're sitting near the back, maybe we can escape. Well, we should give it a chance first.
The leader tells of the ethnic slant of each hymn including who wrote it and why. Each hymn represents a different ethnicity. At my church hymns are sung in a low murmur (seems to be a stoic Norwegian characteristic) but not here. Everyone is belting out the hymns without even looking at the words. This is GREAT!! The acoustics in the huge building are fantastic! The spirit of these few people fills this old cathedral and it's overwhelming. The copper played out and the big shots scurried back to Boston like rats back to their nest leaving these people high and dry. The rich sit in their million dollar Boston condos counting their booty while these wonderful strong people sing and laugh in this beautiful old church. I'd rather be here, thanks Jessica, this was another winner!
PS - They played one hymn on the old pipe organ to tempt us to come back for the special organ day. What a great place!
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