Events of Note

FILM

Please Note: Due to the Covid–19 virus, some of these events may have been cancelled or changed after press time. Please check with venues and organizations for up-to-date information.

PERFORMING ARTS

THEATER

The Tempest — In this play by William Shakespeare, a crew of men are shipwrecked on a magical island and tormented by an old man and his slaves, April 2–11, recorded by the Kalamazoo Civic and available for viewing on demand, kazoocivic.com. Almost, Maine — Nine loosely connected stories explore love and loss in a remote, mythical town in this play by John Cariana, livestreamed performances, 7:30 p.m. April 30, May 1, 5 & 6; 2 p.m. May 2, kazoocivic.com. MUSIC

Magos Hererra — The jazz singer-songwriter in a livestreamed performance as part of the International Women Rising Festival, 3 and 8 p.m. April 2, State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick St., kazoostate.com. Russian Romance — The Battle Creek Symphony and Grand Rapids Ballet Virtual team up for this free virtual concert pairing romantic Russian folk tales with symphonic works by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, 7:30 p.m. April 3, yourmusiccenter.org. Student Musicale — Western Michigan University music department students perform in the WMU Convocation Series, available via the WMU YouTube channel, 1 p.m. April 7, wmich.edu/music/events. Student Recital: Composers IV — WMU student composers perform, available via the WMU YouTube channel, 7:30 p.m. April 8, wmich.edu/ music/events. Aaron Diehl Trio — The Gilmore Virtual Jazz Club features this group led by pianist-composer Aaron Diehl, livestreamed from the Wellspring Theater, 7:30 p.m. April 9, thegilmore.org. Dudok Quartet — An ensemble playing string quartets of Bartok and Brahms, available for viewing online April 17–May 16, fontanamusic.org. A New Concerto for Piano — Composer and pianist Michael Brown premieres his Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Strings with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in this virtual performance, 7 p.m. April 30, with recording accessible to ticket holders through May 31, kalamazoosymphony.com. Herbology Presents: The Big Lebowski — Showing of the 1998 cult classic starring Jeff Bridges, 8 p.m. April 17, 404 S. Burdick St., State Theatre, kazoostate.com. VISUAL ARTS Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 314 S. Park St., 349-7775, kiarts.org Exhibits

Framing Moments — An exhibition highlighting how photographers create images that preserve moments, people and places, featuring photos from the mid-19th to the 21st century from the KIA’s permanent collection, through May 15. From Earth and Fire: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection — Some of the most cutting-edge works the Boston collectors have acquired in the past three years, through June 17. Unveiling American Genius — Abstract and contemporary works from the KIA’s permanent collection emphasizing stories that African American, Latinx and other artists have told about our culture, art and history. Events ARTbreak — Online presentations of conversations with artists: Resident artists in jewelry, fiber and photography discuss their Kirk Newman Art School residencies, noon April 6; artists featured in the Framing Moments exhibit discuss the inspiration they find behind the lens, noon April 20; kiarts.org. Richmond Center for Visual Arts Western Michigan University, 387-2436, wmich.edu/art Eyes on Ukraine — Works by five contemporary Ukrainian photographers, Monroe-Brown Gallery, through May 2. Recent Gifts — Selections from the University Art Collection, Netzorg and Kerr Gallery, through May 2. Other Venues

Art Hop — Art at various locations in Kalamazoo, presented by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, 6–8 p.m. April 2, 342-5059, kalamazooarts.org. Edible Book Festival — This annual event and contest planned by the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, being held online this year, features books good enough to eat, April 2–4, kalbookarts.org. Southwest Michigan Area Printers — An online exhibition featuring work from the Southwest Michigan Printmakers’ series Light and Dark and H2O, through April 30, kalbookarts.org. The Illustrated Accordion — An exhibition featuring books created in the accordion form, April 9–June 18, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center Gallery, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 103A. LIBRARY & LITERARY EVENTS

Kalamazoo Public Library 553-7800, kpl.gov All branches are open, with reduced hours and limited curbside service; see website for details. Page Turners Book Club — Zoom discussion of American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins, 6:30 p.m. April 5; registration required. Author Visit: Justin & Alexis Black — Meet the authors of Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat the Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love, Zoom, 6 p.m. April 6; registration required. Baseball Books-on-Deck 2021 — Zoom discussions on books and topics related to baseball: The Shortstop from Kalamazoo: The Life and Times of Neil Berry, with author William Christiansen, 6:30 p.m. April 8; Havana Hardball: Spring Training, Jackie Robinson, and The Cuban League, with author César Brioso, 6:30 p.m. April 15; The All-American Girls After the AAGPBL and Isabel “Lefty” Alvarez: The Improbable Life of a Cuban American Baseball Star, with author Kat Williams, 6:30 p.m. April 22; Baseball in Kalamazoo 1880-1920 — A Contrast in Colors, a presentation by Keith Howard, 6:30 p.m. April 29; registration required. It’s Crime We Talk: A True Crime Book Club — Zoom discussion of Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession, edited by Sarah Weinman, 6:30 p.m. April 13; registration required. Classics Revisited Book Club — Zoom discussion of Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh, 7 p.m. April 15; registration required. African American Genealogy: Using Census Records — Learn how to conduct family history research using federal and state census records, schedules and rolls, 4:30 p.m. April 19; registration required. Urban Fiction Book Club — Discussion of Pray You Catch Me, by Dominique Thomas, 6 p.m. April 27; registration required. For Colored Girls Book Club — Discussion of First Comes Marriage, by Huda Al-Marashi, 7 p.m. March 26; registration required. Parchment Community Library 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org The library is open 1–5 p.m. Monday–Wednesday and 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Thursday–Saturday. Curbside service is also available; see website for details. Mystery Book Club — Zoom discussion of mysteries, 4 p.m. April 19; see parchmentlibrary.org/ mystery-book-club for Zoom link. Faith Perspectives on Climate Change — Watch videos by three local faith leaders online, followed by community discussion on Zoom, 7 p.m. April 20, parchmentlibrary.org/faith-and-climate-change; registration required.

Portage District Library 300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info The library is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–2 p.m Saturday; curbside service is available 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday–Friday. See website for details. Richland Community Library 8951 Park St., 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org The library is open at 50 percent capacity, and appointments are no longer needed; see website for details.

April Trivia— Five rounds of April-themed general trivia in a live event on Facebook, 7 p.m. April 1. Michigan History Trivia — Five rounds of sports- and game-themed general trivia in a live event on Facebook, 7 p.m. April 22. Other Venues Jennifer Blackmer — The award-winning playwright and screenwriter reads from her work, WMU’s Gwen Frostic Reading Series, 7:30 p.m. April 2, Knauss Hall, Room 2500, WMU. Kalamazoo Poetry Festival — Online festival featuring workshops, readings, a celebration of community poets and craft talk by nationally acclaimed poets Patricia Smith and Danez Smith, April 16–17, kalamazoopoetryfestival.com. MUSEUMS

Air Zoo 6151 Portage Road, Portage, 382-6555, airzoo.org The museum is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and noon–5 p.m. Sunday, but there is limited occupancy because of Covid-19. Amusement rides are not available. Online ticketing is encouraged. Mondays 9–11 a.m. are for vulnerable people. Panels Off! — Panels and cowlings are removed from Air Zoo planes, providing an in-depth look into their workings, through April 4. We Did It: The Riveting Real Rosies of WWII — Learn about some of the women called to fill defense plant positions in the 1940s in this exhibit. Gilmore Car Museum 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, 671-5089, gilmorecarmuseum.org Winter Lecture Series — Oakwood Park: Kalamazoo’s Coney Island, Keith Howard, April 11; The History of the Assembly Line, Don LaCombe, April 18; Gone with the Wind, Kathleen Marcaccio, April 25; all sessions begin at 3 p.m. at the museum, with registration required, and most will also be streamed via Facebook Live. Sheet Metal Fabrication with Matt Murray from Iron Trap Garage — A workshop with the renowned hot-rod builder, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. April 10; tickets required.

YOU CREATE. WE FUND.

ACGK gave out $351,000 to 83 recipients last year alone.

KELLEN DEAU,

Grant Recipient

Visual arts educator Kellen Deau received a MAGIK grant in partnership with KRESA to build 25 free library boxes across Kalamazoo neighborhoods most in need of access to literacy.

The Arts Council has 7 grant programs for individual artists, arts organizations and non-profits! We also offer: • Free grant workshops - 12 each year. • Free 1-on-1 coaching to assist you in your submission. • Plus, ACGK members can apply for grants for FREE!

How can we help you?

Visit KalamazooArts.org/grants

Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 N. Rose St., 373-7990, kalamazoomuseum.org The museum is now open 10–11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; registration required. Filling in the Gaps: The Art of Murphy Darden — Kalamazoo resident and nonagenarian Murphy Darden explores local history, civil rights, the enduring legacy of hate, and American’s forgotten Black cowboys, kvmexhibits.org/murphy-darden. Science on a Sphere — A new permanent exhibit developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows images of atmospheric storms, climate change and ocean temperatures on an animated globe, kalamazoomuseum.org/ exhibits/science-on-sphere.htm. The Walker Brothers — A virtual exhibit about Ryan and Keith Walker, who were afflicted with the rare genetic disorder Hunter syndrome, and their lasting impact on family, friends, inclusive education and civil rights in Kalamazoo, kvmexhibits.org/2020/ walkerbrothers.

NATURE Kalamazoo Nature Center 7000 N. Westnedge Ave., 381-1574, naturecenter.org The Visitor Center remained closed at press time, but trails are open and programs continue with precautions. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 12685 East C Ave., Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu The trails are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WednesdaySunday. At press time the Resource Center was closed, but public restrooms at the back of the auditorium building were open. Birds and Coffee Chat Online — Grab your morning beverage and learn about a new bird species in Southwest Michigan, 10 a.m. April 14; registration required. Happy Earth Day — Celebrate Earth Day with free admission to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary for guests up to 18 years old, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. April 22. Other Venues and Organizations Audubon Society of Kalamazoo — Monthly Zoom presentation on a nature topic, 7:30 p.m. April 26, kalamazooaudubon.org. Putting Together the Pieces of the Milky Way with Pictures — Presentation by Notre Dame physicist Timothy Beers, 7 p.m. April 9, via Zoom, kasonline.org. Alligator Sanctuary Program — Meet snakes, alligators and tortoises that you can touch and possibly even hold, 10 a.m. April 10, Schrier Park, 850 W. Osterhout Ave., Portage, portagemi.gov; registration required. MISCELLANEOUS What’s In a Name? — Discover the history behind the names seen around Portage in this exhibit, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday, through April 30, Portage City Hall, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave.; call ahead to be sure the building is open, 329-4455. Walking Tour of Downtown Kalamazoo Breweries — Discover the stories behind downtown’s craft beverage scene, enjoy samples and get a goody bag, noon–4 p.m. April 3, 10,17 & 24; westmichiganbeertours.com. WMU International Festival — Take a trip around the world without leaving your home in this virtual event hosted by WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education, 6–7:30 p.m. April 7–9, livestreamed on the WMU International YouTube channel.

Food Truck Rally — A variety of street food options from local food trucks, 5:30–8:30 p.m., Wayside West Parking Lot, 3406 Stadium Dr., foodtruckrallykz.com Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Public Observing Sessions — The Great Nebula in Orion, April 10; The Moon & Double Stars of Spring, April 24; sessions begin at 8 p.m. but may be canceled due to inclement weather, kasonline.org. Green-A-Thon 2021 — A community event celebrating Earth Day, with games, a mini-farmer’s market and education about environmental sustainability, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. April 25, Portage City Hall, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave., portagemi.gov/441/ events. Kalamazoo Record & CD Show — New and used records and CDs, 11 a.m. April 25, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St., rerunrecords.com.