Marquette Area Blues Society

The Marquette Area Blues Society (MABS) was born on July 4, 2003, during the annual fireworks display in Marquette’s Lower Harbor Park. Founding members Terry Klavitter, April Lindala, and Walt Lindala loved the sights and sounds of Marquette—but they kept asking, “Why doesn’t this town have a blues festival?” Marquette’s residents love music and they love a good time—starting a blues society just made sense. An announcement in the local papers brought together a group of like-minded music lovers, and the first MABS meeting was held on July 23, 2003, at the Peter White Public Library. Interest grew quickly, and the Marquette Area Blues Society officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation of blues music and culture in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.