FIRST THINGS ENCORE
First Things Something Historic
Coloring book features Black female ‘firsts’ A new interactive coloring book honors Black History
Month with a local twist. Your Turn: African American Women of Kalamazoo was created by the Merze Tate Explorers, a program for girls in fourth to 12th grade that emphasizes travel, writing, and media and career exploration. The coloring book highlights such women as Monique Grayson, Kalamazoo’s first African American female pilot, and actress, vocalist and civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln, who grew up in Cass County. Artist Jerome Washington created the cartoon images, and Merze Tate members developed profiles of 16 women who were local firsts in career fields from business to entertainment. In addition to the coloring book, the Explorers created mini-documentaries of the women that are available to view through the Public Media Network. Your Turn: African American Women of Kalamazoo is $5.95 and available on Amazon.com. Proceeds from sales of the book will go toward scholarships for Explorers. For more information on bulk orders, contact Sonya Hollins at 359-7895.
Something Classical
Castalian String Quartet to perform virtually Despite the pandemic, Fontana Chamber Arts is making sure Kalamazoo audiences can still experience some of the world's best chamber music through performances produced specifically for Fontana and available for on-demand viewing. This month Fontana presents the Castalian String Quartet, an awardwinning group from London that is making waves on the international chamber music scene. A performance by the quartet filmed in London will go online at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and be available for viewing until March 25. This quartet has performed widely throughout Europe and North America. It was named the 2019 Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist of the Year and in 2018 won the Merito String Quartet Award/Valentin Erben Prize and a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship Award. The quartet’s performance will be preceded by a question-and-answer session for which audience members submit their questions to the artists in advance. Viewing passes are $20 and available at fontanamusic.org or by calling 382-7774. 8 | ENCORE FEBRUARY 2021
Castalian String Quartet
