Friday, January 16, 2026, 7:30 pm
ROZSA PRESENTING SERIES AND VAN EVERA DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES EVENT
We all know winter nights in the U.P. can be long. You are invited to embrace the evening with Photographer Babak Tafreshi as he uncovers the stories that happen when night falls here on Earth. From the Milky Way to meteor showers to fireflies that emerge at dusk on neighborhood streets, our eyes open a little wider at the stunning photos and videos of National Geographic Explorer Babak Tafreshi. He has spent a career documenting wildlife, humanity, and the cosmos - from dark national parks to bright urban areas - with the belief that people everywhere can connect through the shared experience of simply looking up.
NOTICE: The Keweenaw Land Trust has partnered with this Rozsa Center event! To celebrate Babak Tafreshi's visit, KLT is hosting three additional outdoor Nature by Night Series events from January 15–18. Bundle up, grab your outdoor gear, and spend this weekend experiencing the magic of winter nights in the Keweenaw!
This event is FREE and open to the public through the Van Evera Memorial Endowment.
Things to know
DATE | Friday, January 16, 2026
TIME | 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION | Rozsa Center
EST. RUN TIME | TBA
SEATING | General Admission
PUBLIC TICKETS | Free for all through the Van Evera Memorial Endowment
MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH TICKETS | Request from the Rozsa Box Office in advance or walk up What is Student Rush?
CONTENT GUIDANCE | None
Rozsa Lobby is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F and 1-8 p.m. on Saturdays. Seating begins a half hour prior to the event start time. View Rozsa Box Office Hours.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Support for this Rozsa Presenting Series Event provided by:
and the Rozsa's Circle of Supporters.
About the Speaker
National Geographic Explorer Babak Tafreshi is a photographer and cinematographer who merges art and science through visual stories. Tafreshi created The World At Night program in 2007 with the message of One People One Sky and has been directing its team of photographers in approximately 30 countries. He received the 2009 Lennart Nilsson Award, the world’s most recognized scientific imaging award at the time, for his effort to reconnect humanity with the natural world using night sky images. He has been a National Geographic contributor since 2012, and he is a 2022 National Geographic Society Wayfinder Award recipient.
Related Events
Gallery Exhibition Reception - Through the Quiet Hours will showcase works by local artists inspired by the Keweenaw after nightfall and how it transforms our region in ways both subtle and profound. Presented in conjunction with National Geographic Live: Earth After Dark, this exhibition invites artists to interpret the beauty, mystery, and sense of connection found in the Keweenaw’s nighttime hours. - Rozsa Art Galleries
Friday, January 16, 2026 | 5-7 p.m.
Nature By Night event series: Owl Prowl - Join local biologist and educator Tom Oliver for a family-friendly nighttime adventure at Steve Farm Nature Area. With snowshoes snug and ears alert for owl calls, we’ll move slowly and mindfully through the snowy landscape, listening for distant “hoots” and learning about these fascinating nocturnal birds.
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6-8 p.m.
Nature By Night event series: Twilight Ski - Embrace the transition from day to night: Join KLT board members Shawn Opplinger and Mike Abbott for our Nature by Night event series Twilight Ski!
Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 4-6 p.m.
Nature By Night event series: Stories Under the Stars - Step into the winter night and gather under the stars for stories by the campfire. It’s the final event of KLT’s Nature by Night series—Stories Under the Stars!
Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 6-8 p.m.
Explore upcoming Rozsa Presenting Series Events.
About the Presenter
The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts cultivates a vibrant and connected community through experiences that bring the Keweenaw together. Located on Michigan Technological University's campus in Houghton, Michigan, the 80,000-square-foot arts center's design is inspired by the inclined look of the local copper mine hoists and shaft houses inside and out. Event spaces include the Rozsa Lobby, James and Margaret Black Performance Hall, Rozsa Backstage, Rozsa Art Galleries, and McArdle Theatre.
As the largest theater in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Rozsa dramatically expands the region’s access to large-scale performing arts events including Broadway tours, ballet, cirque, music, and more.
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Personal Responsibility Statement
Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. The Rozsa Center provides content guidance to alert audience members to common potentially sensitive or distressing material. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with each event in order to make informed decisions prior to attending an event.
Views Expressed Statement
The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.
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