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During the peak of the Copper mining industry in the Keweenaw Peninsula, existed more than 40 cultural ethnic groups. A large portion of the immigrant community here came from eastern Europe. Over the years, preserving those cultural groups and traditions has become important to many area residents. One group often overlooked, came form Croatia to Michigan, many during the late part of the 19th century.
“My area, or the area that my grand-father is from, a lot of them came to work the mines. They were farmers back home, they were peasants. SO when they came to America they didn’t have as much, like they had their little clusters in town. But they worked all week, underground in the mines, and their one day off they’re trying to catch up. SO it’s very important to them to get together, and share that song, dance, food, slivovitz.” – Penny Menze, Board of Directors, Calumet Theatre
Food is a major part of any culture. Ahead of their appearance on stage as King and Kash, the calumet theater’s performers will serve a traditional Croatian dinner know as Kotlovina. The meal is made for large groups typically during festivals, feasts, or parties. The dish has many regional ties to the capital city of Zagreb.
“And they love to cook slow and spend the day cooking. So whether it’s a pig in the ground. This particular dish, is on an open fire, with a big pan. Kind of shaped like a big metal Croatian wok. And so they’ve go the meat, and the peppers, and the onions all kind of simmering together, for part of the day. And it takes about an hour. All fresh food, salad, they love their potatoes.” – Penny Menze, Board of Directors, Calumet Theatre
King and Kash’s dinner will be joined by the Tamburitzans, who will take stage the following night on Sunday. The group has a long storied history with the local area. As the Keweenaw remains a staple tour date for the dance and musical troop for the past 85 years.
“And while King and Kash are outside cooking, they are going to be demonstrating how to make Kotlo Vina, this Croatian style of dish. And they’ll be in their Croatian identity. And then after the dinner they’ll come out as King and Kash. They want to bring in that culture first, and then come out with this fun show for the Tamburitzans. The Tamburitzans are coming a day early to spend with us, singing and dancing. And another interesting thing is Elvis is the leader of the Junior Tamburitzans in Chicago Croatian Elvis, his name is Joe, Joe Grlica, and his brother Chris. They are big supporters of the Tamburitzans. In fact they are the heads of the Junior Tamburitzans. SO half of the Tamburitzans, used to be the Junior Tamburitzans in Chicago So they all know Joe, this is going to be like a reunion of sorts.” – Penny Menze, Board of Directors, Calumet Theatre
The calumet theater has dedicated efforts towards raising pride in the cultural identities that make up the copper country, from Finland to Croatia. This weekend’s Croatian Cultural Preservation Dinner is a part of an entire weekend of cultural activities in the calumet area with the Theatre. King and Kash will begin cooking the evening’s meal on Saturday during the calumet farmers market where they are joined by the Tamburitzans for a sneak peek at the evening’s entertainment. Go online to Calumettheatre.com to find ticket information for Saturday’s dinner, and concert with King and Kash, as well as information on the Sunday performance by the Tamburitzans.
King and Kash The Croatian Cultural Preservation Dinner information
Sunday August 6th Tamburitzans Performance information.
