One Night Only — A Triumphant Homecoming at the Historic Ironwood Theatre
The 2026 Emberlight Festival culminates with a landmark evening as internationally acclaimed tenor Miles Mykkanen returns to headline a spectacular final night at the Historic Ironwood Theatre — marking both his long-awaited Emberlight return and the festival’s homecoming to one of the Northwoods’ most iconic stages.
Joined by pianist and music director Adam Rothenberg and the celebrated musicians of The Broadway Strings, Something Wonderful is a sweeping celebration of song across genres, generations, and traditions. The program moves seamlessly across centuries of music — from the emotional sweep of grand opera to the intimacy of art song, from the golden age of Broadway to the timeless elegance of the American Songbook and beyond. Lush lyricism, virtuosic showpieces, beloved standards, and theatrical showstoppers unfold alongside moments of unexpected stillness and reflection, revealing the extraordinary breadth of musical storytelling that has become Mykkanen’s artistic signature.
Following performances on many of the world’s leading stages — including opening the Metropolitan Opera’s 25/26 season — Mykkanen returns home at a defining moment in his international career. Blending dramatic intensity, comedic charm, and soaring vocal power, Something Wonderful transforms the concert experience into something both grand and deeply personal: an artist sharing the music that shaped him with the community that started the journey.
More than a finale, this evening marks a new chapter for Emberlight as the festival returns to the Historic Ironwood Theatre and continues expanding its artistic vision — creating space for ambitious large-scale performances and unforgettable shared experiences in the heart of the Northwoods.
MORE ART TO DISCOVER
Over the final two weeks of the festival, Emberlight comes fully to life across the Gogebic Range. Spend the afternoon strolling through Art in the Park and Emberlight Photographers, then gather in the evening for international cinema, unforgettable performances, and lively conversation with artists and friends over a pint. And of course, it all unfolds during the most beautiful weeks of the year in the Northwoods.
This summer, the Emberlight International Film Festival (EIFF) expands to five nights at The Ember Club on August 14, 16, 19, 20, and 21. On August 15, pianist Adam Rothenberg presents Poets & Arborists in recital at the Hurley Auditorium. And on August 22, Emberlight returns to the historic Ironwood Theatre for Something Wonderful, a special closing concert with Miles Mykkanen, Adam Rothenberg, and The Broadway Strings.
Plan your trip to Emberlight now and experience some of the most inspiring nights of the Northwoods summer.
