HOUGHTON - The western Upper Peninsula is well-established as a haven for tourists. Spectacular scenery, majestic forests and unrivaled waterfront access are just a few of the natural attractions that bring vacationers flocking to the Keweenaw each summer.

But for many, the lure of world-class musicians is as much of a reason to come "up north" as any Lake Superior sunset.

Each summer, the Copper Country plays host to a variety of music festivals offering everything from folk, classical, Scandinavian, opera and much more.

The Pine Mountain Music Festival, celebrating its 19th season this summer, is known throughout the classical music and opera worlds and a launch pad for professional careers through the Resident Opera Artist program.

Again this year, six remarkable young singers will make the U.P. their home for five weeks. Not only will they provide the leads for this summer's opera, Cimarosa's "The Secret Marriage," but they will lend their considerable talents to a Cole Porter review.

Renowned organist Christina Harmon will pay her first visit to the PMMF this summer. An Upper Peninsula native, Harmon has played on many of the great organs of the world.

Returning for yet another summer are the remarkable musicians who make up the Bergonzi String Quartet.

The festival's Resident Chamber Musician Program will feature the Sonrisa Woodwind Quintet and the Clarke String Quartet as residents.

This year the PMMF adds a bit of jazz and folk to the classical mix. For jazz lovers, the festival features the Ellen Rowe Trio. A native of Connecticut, Rowe is on the faculty of the University of Michigan where she is associate professor of jazz piano, chair of the department of jazz and contemporary improvisation and directs the U-M jazz ensemble.

A fine program of Eastern European music is on tap when Stas Venglevski and Misha Litvin take the festival stage. Featuring the Bayan (Russian accordion), mandolin and domra, the duo, has toured throughout the world and has appeared on MPR's "A Prairie Home Companion."

A complete schedule and ticket information can be found online at pmmf.org.

The music festival season officially kicks off in June with the Copper Country Community Arts Council's Spring

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Art and Music Festival in Downtown Houghton on June 13. In addition to a performance tent featuring a variety of local and regional musicians, the event features an art fair with art demonstrations and activities for kids.

The festival will close with a performance by local youth musicians and dancers backing PJ Olsson. The 16-piece band will be performing 10 or more songs, including several selections from Olsson's album in progress.

In a recent Gazette article, Olsson said he hoped to make the Rock Camp an annual event.

"Right now, most of the bands are 40 and over. ... I'm hoping if we do this two, three, four years in a row, they'll come together, and change the community,"he said.

During the Shelden Avenue streetscape project, a number of bands will take to the street to perform concerts on most Thursday nights during the summer. All show will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. The concerts are timed to coincide with visits from a Canadian cruise company.

The Recess Bullies, who perform a blend of rock originals and covers, will lead things off on the 200 or 500 block of Shelden on June 18. They'll be followed by reggae band the Humidors on July 2, bluerass band GreenStone on July 9, classic rock bands U.P. Rising on July 16 and Cheap Therapy on July 23, rock band Reign on July 30, Altar Boys on Aug. 6, Uncle Pete's All-Star BBQ Blues Band on Aug. 13, the Swing Cats on Aug. 20, Wolfgang performing various classics on Aug. 27 and Tom Katalin closing out the series with classic rock and country on Sept. 10.

Other summer music festivals in the Copper Country include Baraga County's Aura Jamboree in July, Finlandia University's Sibelius Festival in late July.

This year's Calumet Theatre Summer Concert Series is reason alone to vacation in the Keweenaw. The historic venue will host Richie Havens (June 27), the Marshall Tucker Band (July 24) and Gaelic Storm (Aug. 22).

In addition to these festivals, many communities have regularly scheduled outdoor concerts including Laurium's Daniell Park summer concerts each Thursday evening during the summer months.

The Houghton Community Band will play on July 7, 14, 21 and 28.