Events of Note

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

PERFORMING ARTS MUSIC Virtual Jazz Club: Emmet Cohen Trio — The Gilmore presents this trio performing traditional jazz with a modern flavor, streaming from the Wellspring Theater, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3, thegilmore.org. Ingrid Fliter — The pianist and 2006 Gilmore Artist will perform works by Beethoven and Chopin in this live-streamed concert, 4 p.m. Jan. 17, thegilmore.org. VISUAL ARTS Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 314 S. Park St., 349-7775, kiarts.org Galleries are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; book tickets on the KIA website.

Cultural Encounters: Art of the Asian Diasporas in Latin America and the Caribbean, 1945–

Present — An exhibition using modern and contemporary art to consider how migration from China, Japan, India and Indonesia influenced cultural exchange and fusion in Latin America and the Caribbean, through Jan. 17.

Modern Abstractions: Japanese Prints from the

Joy and Timothy Light Collection— An exhibition examining modern Japanese printmakers of the 1970s and 1980s to reveal abstraction as a form of artistic experimentation and a means of global conversation, through March 7. Book Discussion — A Zoom discussion of The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance, by Edmund de Waal, 2 p.m. Jan. 20.

Through the Years: Selections From Our

Asian Collection — This exhibition will highlight artworks that include Chinese painting, Japanese printmaking, decorative arts and contemporary ceramics, Jan. 30–March 21. LIBRARY & LITERARY EVENTS Comstock Township Library 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org The library is closed until further notice, but curbside pickup and computer use are available by appointment. Eat Healthy, Be Active — Bronson Methodist Hospital presents an online session on how to be healthy and active all year long; see library website for details. Reminiscence Writing with Wilma on Zoom — Local author and writing coach Wilma Kahn leads this online workshop on writing about your past or present, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 5–Feb. 16; see website for registration information. Trivia Contest for Adults — Show your knowledge in an online trivia contest, Jan. 11–15; see library website for a link to the questions and more information. Kalamazoo Public Library 553-7800, kpl.gov Curbside KPL service will be available at the Central Library and Oshtemo and Eastwood branches. Alma Powell and Washington Square branches are closed until further notice; see website for more information.

Page Turners Book Club – Online — Discussion of Tthe Age of Light, by Whitney Scharer, over Zoom, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4; registration required. Reading Race Group — Discussion of The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett, over Zoom, co-sponsored by the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE) and KPL’s Antiracism Transformation Team, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12; registration required.

Jazz Speaks for Life: Remembering MLK and

the Civil Rights Movement — The Jazz and Creative Institute performs big-band jazz tunes composed by Black musicians during a time of protest and change to honor the struggles and triumphs of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists, 2 p.m., Jan. 16; see website for details on how to access this advance recording. Manitou Mysteries — Join author and shipwreck hunter Ross Richardson in exploring the histories and mysteries of the Manitou Passage, one of the deadliest areas on the Great Lakes, 7 p.m. Jan. 17; registration required for link to attend via Zoom. Urban Fiction Book Club — Discussion of Fast, by Millie Belizaire, 6 p.m. Jan. 26; registration required for link to attend via Zoom. For Colored Girls Book Club — Discussion of Red at the Bone, by Jacqueline Woodson, this year’s Reading Together featured author, 7 p.m. Jan. 29; registration required for link to attend via Zoom. Parchment Community Library 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org The library building is closed to the public, but all library materials remain accessible through curbside service; see website for more information. Write With Wilma —A four-week online writing workshop with local author and writing coach Wilma Kahn, 10 a.m. Thursdays, starting Jan. 7; registration required. Tribal History of the Kalamazoo River — A Zoom presentation by Lakota Pochedley, tribal historic preservation officer for the Gun Lake Tribe (also known as the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians), 7 p.m. Jan. 12; registration required. Portage District Library 300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagedistrictlibrary.info The library building will be closed until further notice, but the library will offer curbside service; see website for more information. Richland Community Library 8951 Park St., 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org The library building is currently open by appointment only; see website for more information. Winter Reading Bingo — Grab a paper bingo card or log on to our ReadSquared app and record your winter reading to earn entry to grand-prize drawings, through Feb. 26. January Trivia — General trivia on Facebook Live, 7 p.m. Jan. 7. Books with Friends Book Club — Zoom discussion of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Richards, Jan. 21; registration required. 20th Century Music Trivia — Music-themed trivia on Facebook Live, 7 p.m. Jan. 28.

MUSEUMS Air Zoo 6151 Portage Road, Portage, 382-6555, airzoo.org The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to 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 are for vulnerable people. Alien Worlds and Androids — Join scientists in the search for alien life in and beyond our solar system in this ongoing exhibit. Flight & Flak: The Art of Paul Wentzel Sr. — Oil and acrylic works spanning military aviation history, on loan from the Selfridge Military Air Museum, through March.

Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence

— A poster exhibit exploring the struggle to give women the vote, through March. Gilmore Car Museum 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, 671-5089, gilmorecarmuseum.org The museum is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. but closed New Year's Day. A complimentary docent tour is available with paid admission at 10:30 a.m. weekdays; there is limited occupancy because of Covid-19, and the car rides are not available. Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 N. Rose St., 373-7990, kalamazoomuseum.org The museum is currently closed for face-to-face visits; see website for more information.

Tracing the Path: The 1980 Kalamazoo

Tornado — See the virtual exhibit recognizing the 40th anniversary of the tornado, 1980kalamazootornado.org. Digging Deep Into Stories — Get a link to A Good Day's Fishing, by James Prosek, and an optional resource bag of crafts and activity sheets, through Jan. 2; registration required. NATURE Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 12685 East C Ave., Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu Birds and Coffee Chat Online — Grab your morning beverage and learn about a new bird species in Southwest Michigan, 10 a.m. Jan. 13; registration required. Other Venues Soundwalking in the Time of Covid-19 — Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy offers a podcast with Sharon Gill featuring a series of listening exercises to help participants hear the sounds of nature while walking at an SWMLC preserve or natural area; to access the podcast, visit swmlc.org. Gaining InSight into the Planet Mars — A free Zoom presentation on the findings of InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy & Heat Transport) on Mars by Dr. James W. Ashley of NASA, 7 p.m. Jan. 8, registration link at kasonline.org.

Online Viewing Sessions with Kalamazoo

Astronomical Society — A Zoom session with the KAS Remote Telescope, located under the dark desert sky of Arizona, 8:30–10:30 p.m. Jan. 9, with cloudy sky date of Jan. 16, kasonline.org.

Lecture Series: Introduction to Amateur

Astronomy — The first lecture in this Kalamazoo Astronomical Society series discusses “Our Place Among the Infinities,” 1–3 p.m. Jan. 23 on Zoom; register at kasonline.org. MISCELLANEOUS A Winter Holiday Around the World — Find out how different cultures and countries celebrate winter holidays, through Jan. 7, Portage City Hall, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave., portagemi.gov. Break Blast — Family camp-style program with winter-themed games, crafts and hike, 9 a.m.–noon Jan. 2, Schrier Park, 850 W. Osterhout Ave., Portage; registration required at portagemi.gov. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibition — Portage City Hall features the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in partnership with the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE), 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Jan. 8–29, portagemi.gov.

Heritage, Lineage, Ancestry, Genealogy, Oh

My! — Join a member of the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society and discover resources to build and grow your family tree, 1 p.m. Jan. 9, 16, 23 & 30, Stuart Manor, 7340 Garden Lane, Portage, portagemi.gov. Team Spirit Rally — Wear gear from your favorite sports team for Friday Theme Nights at the Rink, 7 p.m. Jan. 15, Ice Rink at Millennium Park, 280 Romence Road, Portage, portagemi.gov. Downhill Ski & Snowboard Lessons — Lessons for beginners taught by professional instructors, 2 p.m. Jan. 24 & 31, Timber Ridge Ski Area, 7500 23 1/2 St., Gobles, portagemi.gov. Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week 2021 — Learn about local brewers, distillers and winemakers via virtual and hybrid event offerings, Jan. 29–Feb. 6, kalamazoocraftbeverageweek.com. Mascot Madness — Skate with a menagerie of mascots, 3 p.m. Jan. 30, Ice Rink at Millennium Park, portagemi.gov.

KNAC (continued from page 25)

An asset for artists

D. Terry Williams, another KNAC board member, is an elder statesman in Kalamazoo’s arts world. He chaired the Western Michigan University theater department for 23 years and has directed shows in nearly every venue in town. Now he’s leveraging his contacts and experience to help propel KNAC’s progress by developing an advisory committee that will provide advice and feedback on how KNAC connects with the community. The 16-member committee includes numerous representatives of the arts and leading nonprofits in Kalamazoo.

“I have to admit, the list took about 15 minutes because I’ve been around so long,” Williams says. “These are individuals committed to the arts in Kalamazoo, not only as donors but as patrons and board members.”

He describes the First Baptist building as “a prime piece of property with great bones and well worth saving.” And he notes other “excellent examples of repurposing historical buildings” in the city, including the former Globe Casket Co. building, the Shakespeare Co. factory complex and the labyrinthine arts hub that is the Park Trades Center.

Williams echoes Sytsma’s hope to see the First Baptist building used to its potential and is especially interested in the sanctuary’s possibilities as a rehearsal space for performing arts groups.

“Somebody could rehearse (there) in the morning, afternoon and evening; there are various scenarios,” Williams suggests.

One performing arts group making great use of nearly 2,000 square feet of space on the fourth floor is Tye Chua Dance, which moved into the building in 2017. It has a costume room, two dressing rooms, a lounge, an office and a brightly lit room with vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows where it holds classes and rehearsals. “Everyone who sees it says this is what a ballet studio should be like,” says Tye Chua Artistic Director Angi Polderman.

“We live and practice the KNAC core values around diversity, equity and celebrating the arts,” says Gene Chua, who founded the company with his wife, Aimee Tye.

“You couldn’t ask for a better situation in a community setting,” adds Polderman. “We love being part of the collaborative, supportive group — all the renters seem to look out for each other.”

From owner to tenant

As the day approaches when First Baptist Church becomes a tenant rather than a landlord, Pastor Nichols has a good feeling about the church’s future.

“It’s not that we’re in great condition, but there is a good spirit, good attitude, and new people are coming, perhaps not in droves,” he says. “No one is beating the doors down, but in a church like ours every new person is a success story, and we are delighted. As always, our church is in God’s hands, and as long as we’re open to where God is leading us, we see hope for the future and good things happening.”

His colleague, First Congregational’s Pastor Dannison, admits the process has been challenging but says he is gratified by the progress and momentum of the KNAC.

“Few things in my professional life have been as challenging as working to save the First Baptist building,” he says. “It was a monumental task, but when they are at their best, churches can be engines for producing culture and justice in the heart of the city, and the future of our city depends on accessible public spaces for all.

“First Baptist members were the original founders of Kalamazoo College,” Dannison adds, “so I feel like taking bold risks was in their DNA. Not every church could do what they've done, and the members have shown profound courage in exploring and endorsing this new concept.”