Encore November 2024

From the Editor

November is always a very food-forward month — it's a month when folks think and talk a lot about food and drink — and this month's issue is right in line with that reality.

Our cover story is on Kalamazoo's oldest eatery — Louie's Trophy House, which has sustained many generations of locals in its more than a century of existence — and on Louie's 2020 expansion into Texas Township and its upcoming expansion into Portage. Writer Zinta Aistars talks with Louie's General Manager Joe Wolf and Executive Chef Adam Stacey on how they keep Louie's fresh without sacrificing its historic charm.

We also visit with Rob Hopkins of Wax Wings Brewing Co., a craft brewery in a small strip mall on Gull Road that weathered the pandemic through creativity, innovation and a loyalty to its employees that has sustained it long past the days of lockdowns.

And because we can all use a little humor as the winter months set it, we talk with Dann Sytsma, founder of Crawlspace Comedy Theatre and the Kalamazoo Improv Festival, on his long history of bringing funny business to Kalamazoo.

As the leaves fall and cold north winds start blowing, we hope you'll take advantage of these days to curl up with Encore and learn a little more about your community and those who are making great things happen here. We are thankful to have been able to bring you those kinds of stories for the last 50 years, and we are thankful for our loyal readers and advertisers who make it all possible. Enjoy!

Left to right: Morgan Rogalke-Scime, Charles S. Ofstein, Tyler J. Stewart, Olivia A. Kurajian, William B. Millard

Jordan Bradley Zinta Aistars Jarret Whitenack

Mmmm, the mouth-watering fragrance when you walk in — the burgers, the pulled pork sandwiches, the prime rib and, oh, the pizza that the people of Louie's claim is the best in town. They may be right, says Zinta. "When something lasts beyond a century, you know they are doing something right," she says. "Louie's Trophy House, the bar and grill on North Street, has been around forever. By forever, I mean back to 1918, when it was rumored to be a speakeasy along with an eatery." In 2020 a second Louie's location was added in Texas Corners, and a third is coming to Portage. "I love writing food stories," says Zinta. "You can guess why. I mean, it's research, right? To taste what's on the menu?"

Zinta is creative director of Z Word, LLC, and the host of Art Beat, a weekly radio show about the creative arts in Southwest Michigan on WMUK 102.1 FM.

Jordan spoke with Dann Sytsma, artistic director of the Crawlspace Eviction improv group and of Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, for this month's Back Story. Since talking with Dann about his many endeavors, Jordan says she has been applying improv's famous 'yes, and' exercise in her everyday life. "The way Dann looks at improv and its implications for individuals and community is very inspiring," she says.

Jordan is an intern-turned-freelancecontributor at Encore. When she's not writing about interesting goings-on in the Southwest Michigan area, she can be found taking long walks in cemeteries with her dog.

In Jarret's coverage of Wax Wings Brewing Co., he found that not only was the brewery's product great, but he was very impressed by the supportive, family-like environment that has been created there. "I can't help but think that the reason their product is so good is that they truly care about those they work with," Jarret says. "They provided a space so one of their employees could train for the Olympics, and they host employees' family get-togethers. When you have a great work environment, it ripples down to the product."

Publisher encore publications, inc

Editor marie lee

Art Director alexis stubelt

Photographer brian k powers

Contributing Writers

zinta aistars, jordan bradley, lynn houghton, marie lee, simon thalman, jarret whitenack

Copy Editor/Poetry Editor margaret deritter

Advertising Sales janis clark kimberly juwong

Distribution ron kilian robert zedeck

Office Coordinator

kelly burcroff

Proofreader hope smith

Encore Magazine is published 12 times yearly. Copyright 2024, Encore Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation and advertising correspondence should be sent to:

www.encorekalamazoo.com

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Telephone: (269) 383–4433

Email: Publisher@encorekalamazoo.com

The staff at Encore welcomes written comments from readers, and articles and poems for submission with no obligation to print or return them. To learn more about us or to comment, visit encorekalamazoo.com. Encore subscription rates: one year $36, two years $70. Current single issue and newsstand $4, $10 by mail. Back issues $6, $12 by mail. Advertising rates on request. Closing date for space is 28 days prior to publication date. Final date for print–ready copy is 21 days prior to publication date.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by those interviewed and published here do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Encore Magazine or the official policies, owners or employees of Encore Publications

Louie's, Louie's

First Things

Something Funny

Mark Normand to perform at State

Mark Normand, dubbed by Jerry Seinfeld as the “best young up-and-coming comic,” will bring his brand of humor to the State Theatre at 7 p.m. Nov. 8.

Normand’s recent onehour Netflix special, Soup to Nuts, has been in the streaming service's Top 10 since the show's July 25 premiere. He has had Comedy Central specials and performed on Conan, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Tickets are $35–$160 and available at the box office and kazoostate.com.

Something Literate Spelling Bee to promote reading

With speed spelling, sing-alongs and costumes, the 22nd Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee on Nov. 13 promises to be a silly yet serious event to raise money to promote reading by young children.

This year's event will start at 6:30 p.m. at Western Michigan University's Fetzer Center and include contests for best spelling, best costume, and most enthusiastic and creative cheers. The cost to compete is $500 per team, and tickets to watch the spectacle are $35. All proceeds go to the Kalamazoo Public Library's Ready to Read program, which provides free books for Kalamazoo County children up to 5 years of age.

To sign up or for more information, visit kpl.gov.

Something Merry

Early holiday happenings to partake in

You can get your ho-ho on early with several Christmas-themed activities this month.

Spectators can see giant cards decorated by various organizations and community members during the Holiday Card Display at Celery Flats Nov. 4 to Jan. 13 at Celery Flats Historical Area. This will also be the location for the Decorated Tree Display that will run Nov. 25 to Jan. 2. For more information on these events, visit portagemi.gov.

In downtown Kalamazoo, the holidays will officially kick off with the annual Maple Hill Holiday Parade at 11 a.m. Nov. 23. Marching bands, floats and giant balloons will be among the entries that can be seen on the parade route, which starts at Lovell and Jasper streets, travels west to Park Street, north on Park to Michigan Avenue, east on Michigan to Pitcher Street, and south on Pitcher to Lovell.

The next weekend, on Nov. 29, Bronson Park will be all aglow for the official Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will take place from 5–7 p.m., with lighting at approximately 6 p.m. For more information, visit kzooparks.org.

Something Nostalgic

Fleetwood Mac tribute band to play Bell's

Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Kait Rose will join several other musicians to present a three-night run of her popular Fleetwood Mac Tribute performances in Bell's Backroom Nov. 21–23.

The shows will feature music that spans Fleetwood Mac’s career and will also highlight works by individual Fleetwood Mac members, including Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie. Nov. 21's show will be fully seated while the Nov. 22 and 23 performances will have some seating as well as space for standing and dancing.

Tickets are $25 for each performance, with a three-show package available for $60. To purchase tickets, visit events.bellsbeer.com or the Bell's General Store, at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave.

Something

Mysterious Exhibit explores fraternal brotherhoods

With such arcane artifacts as serpent-headed staffs, ceremonial regalia and grave markers, the exhibit Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic & Odd Fellows Folk Art at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum explores the histories, symbolism and values of the Freemasons and the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows.

The exhibit runs through Jan. 5 and features more than 80 items that illuminate aspects of these fraternal organizations, which have deep roots in U.S. history.

The museum is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, and admission is free.

Five Faves Kalamazoo-made products that have gone by the wayside

BY LYNN HOUGHTON

It is well known that Kalamazoo has a reputation for the variety of products that have been and still are made in our community. There were some that dominated, like paper and pharmaceuticals, but not many people know that melodeons (small reed organs), carriages, playing cards and even clothespins were once manufactured here. This area's access to raw materials and transportation networks, predominantly railroads, was among the factors that led to the community's dominance in certain products. While people might know the products, they might not know the individuals behind those products, some who attached their names to their creations and some who remained anonymous. Here are five of my favorite former Kalamazoo products:

Mandolin

Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co.

Even though this company has been gone from Kalamazoo for 40 years, it continues to capture the interest of people from all over the world. Orville Gibson, who arrived here in 1876, was known for his craftsmanship in creating mandolins and guitars. By 1902, a group of local businessmen decided to start a firm based on his designs, and the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co. was born. Orville left not long after, but the company continued for years, creating the vast majority of fretted stringed instruments sold in the United States. The headquarters moved to Nashville in 1981, and the Kalamazoo facility on Parsons Street closed in 1984. Since 1985, Heritage Guitars has operated at the former Gibson factory, and there are plans to develop this site into a hotel and entertainment venue that will pay tribute to the Gibson company and its contributions to the music industry.

Phenolax

The Upjohn Co.

When the Upjohn

Pill and Granule Co. was established in Kalamazoo in 1886, its predominant product for many years was the friable pill, a tablet that dissolved easily in the body. Within 20 years, the company needed a new product, and the result was a laxative called Phenolax, a rectangular, pink, mint-flavored wafer first sold by the company in 1908. The marketing campaign for Phenolax included booklets with samples that were sent to physicians and large displays installed in pharmacy windows. Phenolax became an immediate hit, and 20 million Phenolax wafers were sold the first year. By 1924 the product generated 21 percent of Upjohn’s annual revenue. Not long after that, other pharmaceutical companies created competing products and Upjohn’s dominance ended, but not before Phenolax helped the company grow to new heights.

Fishing reel

William Shakespeare Co.

Kalamazoo resident

William Shakespeare Jr. was a serious fisherman. Though he started his manufacturing career making photographic shutters, he wanted to improve on fishing reels so they would wind line evenly. His company was started in 1896 and by 1902 had 12 employees and was making fishing rods and reels, line, and baits and lures. The company continued to grow, and by 1913 it had changed its name to the Shakespeare Co., employed more than 100 people and had moved from Water Street to a stately brick building on the corner of East Kalamazoo Avenue and North Pitcher Street. Later, a second company was created, Shakespeare Products Co., which focused on products other than those related to fishing, including auto and aircraft parts. The company moved its headquarters to South Carolina in 1970 and left Kalamazoo by 1989. The name has been preserved locally by the Shakespeare's Pub, located in what was once a Shakespeare Co. office building.

Croquet mallets and balls

Kalamazoo Handle Manufacturing Co.

The women in the photograph above are identified as staff members at the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, and they appear to have completed a round of croquet. Chances are good that they were using mallets and balls made by the Kalamazoo Handle Manufacturing Co. During the mid-19th century, Michigan was a leader in timber production, and Kalamazoo used that raw material for many products, including wagons, yokes, furniture, handles and even clothespins. Croquet was the rage at the time, with the Kalamazoo Gazette noting “exquisite” displays of the game in stores and croquet parties held at various houses. It was said the Kalamazoo Handle Manufacturing Co. could make 11 wooden balls in two minutes from a single block of wood.

Crystal White peppermint oil

A.M. Todd Co.

or many years, mint oil, which flavored medicines and food, was a product Kalamazoo was known for. The man behind this industry was Albert M. Todd. He was born in Nottawa, where in 1869 he started the company that bore his name, and he moved the company to Kalamazoo in 1891. He owned two large mint farms in Van Buren and Allegan counties and processed the oil at a plant at the southwest corner of North Rose Street and Kalamazoo Avenue and later at a facility on Douglas Avenue. By the turn of the 20th century, the A.M. Todd Co. produced 50% of the world’s mint oil. In the 1920s, due to the combination of fungus and wilt, the Todd Co. abandoned growing mint but continued to process it at the local plant. WILD Flavors GmbH, Switzerland, purchased the company in 2011, and ADM purchased WILD in 2014.

All products and images are from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

About the Author

Lynn Houghton is the regional history curator at the Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections, located in the Zhang Legacy Collection Center, where she works with researchers and students of all ages. She is the coauthor of Kalamazoo Lost and Found, a book on Kalamazoo history and architecture, and has written a number of Five Faves features for Encore. She also participated in the PBS series 10 That Changed America, about the history of architecture and urban planning, and has led a series of walking tours in Kalamazoo and other parts of Kalamazoo County. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history from WMU and a master’s in library and information science from Wayne State University.

Locations in Portage and Kalamazoo

400 Beers and Counting

Crafting new products keeps Wax Wings soaring

BY JARRET WHITENACK

Taking a leap of faith can be a challenging thing to do, so when Rob Hopkins did that by opening a brewery in Kalamazoo, he named it after the wings that allowed the mythological Icarus to fly. He called his brewery Wax Wings Brewing Co.

Hopkins, who had been a home brewer, opened Wax Wings in 2018 in a small strip mall at 3489 Gull Road. Despite the risk, he had confidence in his product. But unlike Icarus, he didn't allow overconfidence to kill his dream.

“This all happened as a result of finally home brewing enough times to where I made a beer and I was like, ‘OK, this is a New England IPA that has legs. It could have legs if it was made commercially,’” Hopkins recalls. “As soon as that happened, that weekend I'm in Atlanta and my uncle Mark Hopkins and I put together a business plan, and then I got with a Realtor to find a spot.”

Hopkins purchased a three-barrel brewing system that was a steep upgrade from his home brewing equipment but also brought new complexities to deal with.

“You’re going from plastic, converted agricultural tanks to stainless, proper brewing equipment. Going from filling four cans a minute with four guys to 30 cans a minute with a line. So, No. 1 was figuring all that stuff out,” explains Hopkins. “Then having to pay for itself is a big steep learning curve. But we had the opportunity, so it made sense at the time. I'm glad we did, because at the time everything back there (he points to the brewing room) was homemade and plastic, and now it's all proper, beautiful stainless.”

With the huge shift in the scale of beer produced, the running of a taphouse and the challenges of being the head brewer, Hopkins needed help to run the front of the business so he could focus on brewing. “I did this for a year just on my own, which was too much. I started to get burned out," Hopkins says. "That's why I approached T.J."

Enter T.J. Waldofsky.

Waldofsky has a long history on the local brewing scene as well as other business experience. He was a co-founder of One Well Brewing, filled in as interim president and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo from April 2020 to January 2021, and was working as a consultant when Hopkins approached him. "I didn't think it would work out that he would come on board," Hopkins says. "But it ended up working. Things have changed. I'm in a better spot now."

And Waldofsky says he was happy to get back into brewing. “I always just liked the culture of breweries. Before I opened my former brewery, I'd been to, like, 150,” he says. “Whether the beer is good, mediocre, bad, the culture at all these places was just so cool. It's hyperlocal, and you see your regulars. It becomes more like a family.”

Brewing a family

That family aspect is evident at Wax Wings Brewing. While Hopkins and Waldofsky were being interviewed, a potluck celebration of an employee’s 21st birthday was in progress at the brewery.

T.J. Waldofsky, left, and Rob Hopkins in front of the wings that decorate a wall at Wax Wings Brewing Co.

Brian K. Powers

Wax Wings Brewing Co.

Where: 3480 Gull Road

When it's open: 3–8 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 3–10 p.m. Friday, noon–10 p.m. Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 267-0709

Website: waxwingsbrewing.square.site

And when Wax Wings brewer Andrew Evans, a two-time Olympian in the discus throw, needed to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the brewers converted a storage room on-site into a practice facility where Evans could throw a foam disc during the winter months. The brewery also created a beer called Comeback Kid, not only to honor Evans, but to give part of its proceeds to support Evans’ Olympic journey.

“He is 33, working a blue-collar job full time," Hopkins says. "He had to be able to train, not only to make Paris, but to win the U.S trials. He wasn't sponsored. He needed to work to be able to afford to take the flights, to book the hotels, and so we brewed a beer to support that.”

(At the 2024 Olympics, Evans came in 17th.)

A supportive community

Another part of the brewing culture that both Hopkins and Waldofsky find alluring is “the camaraderie between the breweries” in Kalamazoo, which Hopkins notes was especially important during Wax Wings’ early days of “taking a leap of faith before you're maybe ready."

"But I had good help that walked in through the door,” Hopkins says. “Adam Wisniewski was brewing at (the former brewery) Ruperts, and he just would hang out at night and show me (how to do it), because I went from (brewing in) a five-gallon Coleman cooler to making a hundred gallons at a time. There was a lot of stuff that I didn't anticipate.”

Among that stuff was ending up with brews not worth drinking. Hopkins dumped five batches right after he opened, forcing him to close the shop for two weeks until he could brew more good beer to sell. Another unexpected trial, albeit one with a happy ending, was running a brewery during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the establishment closed, Hopkins and Waldofsky discovered that the only way to sell their products was in cans-to-go, and that drove innovation.

“Covid was kind of like a pressure cooker for creating new stuff,” says Hopkins, who estimates that the brewery has created more than 400 beers in its history. "We did really good during that time. Now

we're trying to get into more of a rhythm with flagship brews and rotate in one to two new or experimental beers a month.”

Of the thousands of gallons of beer created at Wax Wings, Hopkins admits he has his favorites — not because of the way they taste, but because of the work it took to make them and what they represent.

“I love Kalamazoo's Finest (a lager). That whole project was probably the most fun I've had in the last few years," Hopkins says. "It is designed to resonate with the average consumer, but what's cool about it are the pieces from Kalamazoo, like the peregrine falcon imagery (on the label) and T.J. being able to involve the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo to raise money for the peregrine falcon cam (a camera located downtown) or whatever they need.”

Waldofsky echoes Hopkins, saying one of the highlights of the job for him is getting to work with other businesses or nonprofits — "tying in a nonprofit that you care about to raise money for them, bring in their audience and expose them to your product, while at the same time you give back to an organization that's giving to the community and raise them up because you have a platform to do that.”

Despite having hundreds of beers under their belts, Hopkins and Waldofsky say they are still anticipating growth, both in space and what the brewery offers.

Clockwise from top left: Some of the several hundred beers created by Wax Wings Brewing Co.; Fabian Torres checks a batch in process; the interior of the brewery's Gull Road location; and stainless steel barrels in the brewery's production room.

Brian K. Powers

“I'd say that the next big step is a consistent food option,” says Waldofsky. "We have food trucks that come through here, and customers love it, but we want to bring the food in-house at some point.”

Wax Wings currently rents an adjoining storefront, which "is packed” with miscellenous items for the business, he notes, but the goal is to eventually expand the taphouse’s operation into that space as well.

“Everything's a year out six months ago,” Wadolfsky says with a laugh.

For the present time, though, the duo say that the business is doing well.

“We are in a difficult location on Gull Road," says Waldofsky, "because it's not super residential right by us, but the local community has embraced us and (so has) the craft beer community in Kalamazoo. You have to drive across town to get here, and they do that."

Hopkins takes great pride in the beers they produce.

“We've lived and died by the product. It's always been product first,” he says. "I think my palate is one that is able to relate to the average consumer and pick up on maybe what twist would excite them. It's not like (I have) a strong science background or brewing background. I think it's just the relatability because I existed in that sector as

a consumer first, so designing beers for those types of people has made it intuitive.

”And the product is good and stands on its own after six years. We've evolved as craft beer has evolved.”

Brian K. Powers

Glasses of Kalamazoo's Finest, a lager created by Wax Wings that helped to raise money for a camera to monitor Kalamazoo's peregrine falcon nesting site.

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Lots to Love at Louie's

Century-old eatery is proud of its history as it plans third location

Executive Chef Adam Stacey stands at the bar of Louie's Trophy House, which has served Kalamazoo for more than a century.

Brian K. Powers

BY ZINTA AISTARS

The Thanksgiving feast had all the trimmings, the beautifully roasted bird at the center of the table, fragrant and golden. Several pies cooling for dessert. Family gathered around the table, appetites awake to the banquet of delights.

Adam Stacey was 7 years old — yes, 7 years old — when he proudly prepared and presented that first Thanksgiving feast for his family and has been cooking ever since. Today, Stacey, 58, is executive chef for Louie’s, some days working at the business's original location — Louie’s Trophy House, at 440 E. North St., in Kalamazoo's North Side neighborhood — and some days at Louie’s Corner Bar, at 7177 West Q Ave., in Texas Corners.

“We were a family of chefs,” Stacey says. “My grandmother and my mom were chefs, my aunt was a baker, my uncle was a chef at Bravo in Portage. We overlapped there for a while. I was at Bravo for 25 years, loved it, but when it closed during the pandemic, I moved on to other places and eventually made it here in 2021, to Louie’s.”

Stacey recalls that his ears perked up when he heard from a food sales rep that there was an opening for an executive chef at Louie's.

“Joe Wolf, Louie’s operations manager, had just placed an ad for a chef,” he says. “He hired me, and I’ve been here since — and it’s great. We always have our focus here on quality and consistency.”

That focus hasn’t changed for more than a century, says Wolf. What will change soon is that the business will expand to a third location, at 8946 S. Sprinkle Road, in Portage, in what was previously Long Lake Tavern.

“We’re just waiting for the final documents from the State of Michigan,” Wolf says. “We will be starting our remodel soon after that.”

More on that later, but first a look back at the history of Louie's and a look at its current establishments.

A 106-year history

Louie’s has been feeding the community since 1918, with its downtown restaurant being the oldest eatery in Kalamazoo.

“The story as it was told to me was that the Nowak family — they were Polish immigrants

— opened Louie’s during Prohibition as a soup kitchen and a deli,” says Wolf. “They were doing everything possible to stay in business. We still have that staircase in the basement that led outside from what we call the Green Room, where they used to have meetings and drinks.”

Louise “Granny” Nowak ran the kitchen until she was 90, at which time the establishment passed on to her son Louie, who ran it until 2007, when the business was sold to its current owner, Mike VandeMaele.

“I don’t believe they ever got in trouble for the speakeasy,” Wolf says, chuckling. “All I know is that Granny was a tough cookie. When Prohibition was over, Louie’s opened as a bar. And Louie (Louise Nowak's son) — there has been more than one Louie in the Nowak family — still lives in Kalamazoo.”

The original Louie’s, now called Louie's Trophy House, was the restaurant's only location until 2020, when the second Louie’s opened in Texas Corners.

“We took a step back and looked and thought, hey, we have a really good thing here, and we are doing things right,” Wolf says. “We thought it was time to expand our restaurant. I was born and raised in the Mattawan area, and Mike was from the Portage area, and we both have a lot of ties to the Texas Corners area. That’s a nice upand-coming spot. We had the opportunity to put another Louie’s there, and the timing was right.”

The interiors of the two restaurants are notable for their taxidermy — animals brought home as trophies by VandeMaele and others from hunting trips. Walls are lined with bobcats, elk, wolves. Bears rise over tables, paws outstretched as if to grab your burger if you pause too long before the next bite. Louie's ambiance, quite intentionally, resembles that of a hunting lodge, and patrons arrive in flannel shirts as well as business suits.

“From the Arctic Circle to Russia to Colorado, these are from Mike’s hunting trips,” Wolf says. “In 2016, we had a patron who had a little too much to drink, and he decided he wanted to take the wolf home

— a full-size mounted wolf. Through social media and our cameras, we found out who took it, and we ended up getting it back within two days.

"That was from a hunt that Mike did up in the Arctic Circle. It took him, I want to say … five years just to get the proper paperwork for that hunt. It would have been a federal offense to take that wolf, because only Mike could own that wolf. It was an endangered species at that time. But we decided not to press charges as long as it was returned.”

Wolf says Louie’s downtown was VandeMaele’s home away from home for years. "It was his neighborhood bar, where he

would go to have drinks, talk to people and unwind. When the opportunity came to him to purchase it, he was fortunate enough that he was in a position where he could do that, so he ended up buying it.”

Wolf, on the other hand, had spent many years as a food sales rep and in the bar industry at the former Wayside West Sports Bar before coming on board at Louie’s.

“I decided change would be good,” Wolf says, “so I said, 'Hey, let’s do this,' and Mike and I have been working together since 2015. I had been one of his sales reps, and we had built a relationship. My philosophy was that I want a customer for life and not just for

Brian K. Powers

Brian

K. Powers

What’s

on the menu

“People do like to change things up from time to time,” notes Chef Stacey. “Every month we offer three new features. If something is a hit, we add it permanently to the menu.”

three months, so then our executive chef, Adam Stacey, and I got together because we had the same philosophy too.”

Proud to be a 'dive bar'

Wolf says he upholds core values for his teams at the restaurants, advising them to work as a team and be welcoming to customers, with the Golden Rule of treating others as you would want to be treated always in mind.

“Louie’s has been around because everybody is welcome, all walks of life,” he says. “We try to treat everybody there well. Whether it is their first time or their thousandth time, there’s no difference. We strive for great customer service. At the end of the day, there’s no hierarchy. We all work as a team. I think we’ve been pretty successful at that.”

Wolf says Louie’s is not pretentious, and the team is proud of the downtown location often being called a “dive bar.”

“We love it,” he says. “We are 106 years old. Our building downtown is 108. We’ve struggled to make payments at times, but we maintain that building and keep the charm the way it is, with the wood paneling and the way it looks. I say we’re a dive bar, but we put out a product that wouldn’t suggest we are just a dive bar. I’m proud of our food.”

Stacey works in the kitchen with a team of four cooks, five on weekends. He enjoys experimenting and loves smoking meats. One of his new features is the Tri Tip Taco — two tacos filled with marinated and house-smoked tri tip sirloin, sliced and topped with pickled red onions, cabbage, Mexican blend cheese, and cilantro-lime crema in a flour tortilla, served with a side of chips and house salsa.

“You may see that one stay on the menu,” Stacey says. “It’s been very popular. But our most popular items over time? Our pizza. People just love our pizza. We use a hand-tossed crust, homemade dough. We make our own sauce and use a fourblend cheese. I think it’s the best in town.”

Wolf agrees. “I would put up our pizza against anybody,” he says.

Features for one month may range from Lobster Alfredo to Bacon Jam Smash Burger to Jerk Chicken Pineapple. Beloved regular items include prime rib, burgers, fish fry, chicken wings, egg rolls, calzones, burritos, a selection of sandwiches, and much more. Fridays and Saturdays are prime rib night at both locations.

A Sunday brunch, available at both locations until 2 p.m., offers a spread of build-your-own omelets, breakfast pizza, quiche, avocado toast, biscuits with gravy, chicken and waffles, and more, with a refreshing mimosa to wash it all down.

Clockwise from bottom: A bear decorated for Halloween in the downtown location; the exterior of Louie's Trophy House; mounted moose and buck heads from owner Mike VandeMaele's many hunting forays are part of the bar's decor; the interior of Louie's Corner Bar in Texas Township; and prime rib is among the dishes served at Louie's.

Brian K. Powers

Choosing a menu isn’t easy, says Wolf. “It’s hard sometimes because we’ve been in business so long. There’s a lot of items on the menu we feel we can’t take off because they have been on there for maybe 55 years. We try to stay up with the trends, but we also have a knowledgeable kitchen staff that gives us ideas, and we let our servers throw out their ideas too. You could say we do bar food with a twist.”

Entertainment adds even more flavor, with Louie’s downtown location dishing up live comedy shows, dueling pianos, drag bingo shows and live music.

outreach with good taste

Louie's walls cannot always contain the fun. The business hosts several charity and fundraising events, frequently holding them on its outside parking lot downtown. The annual gumbo cookoff in February brings area restaurants and music bands to Louie's downtown parking lot, filling the air with the fragrance of the Louisiana-style stew of meat and shellfish and vegetables in a flavorful competition.

“We used to see about 15 gallons of gumbo per restaurant, but as the event keeps growing, this year we saw 20 gallons each,” says Stacey. “We hand out trophies for the best gumbo, and then there are also People’s Choice awards, first, second, and third. Louie’s does a crawfish boil rather than gumbo, to offer something different. We had four music bands and around 3,000 people attend this last February.”

“All the proceeds from the gumbo cookoff go to two local charities,” Wolf says. “This past year we chose Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center in Augusta, and then we also raised funds for the Audrey Hensley Family Foundation — a nonprofit that memorializes a young woman from Portage who died in an auto accident in 2023. She died just before Thanksgiving." Her father is employed at Mike VandeMaele’s other company, ProServices. "We raised close to $25,000, so each charity received half of that,” Wolf says.

Louie’s also sponsors a charity golf outing every August, with a different charity chosen each year to receive the funds raised by the

event. This past August, the funds went to the Challenger Little League Kalamazoo, an adaptive softball league for people between ages 4 and 26 with disabilities.

Louie's isn't above celebrating its own anniversaries, Wolf says, noting the business plans to throw a party every five years.

“We threw a party for our 99th year just so we could learn from any mistakes before throwing our 100th anniversary celebration,” he says, laughing. “And then we had one for our 105th. Now we are planning our next one for the 110th.”

The parties are often all-day affairs with a pig roast, live music, cornhole tournaments, and other fun activities. Entry is by tickets, purchased online or at the door.

Good times and bad

But not all times have been happy and celebratory for the business. Soon after Louie's opened its second location, Covid-19 happened. The new restaurant, in Texas Corners, was forced to open with only to-go food.

Front row, center: Richard D. Reed

Middle Row (L-R): Wesley J. Todd, James M. Marquardt, Michael A. Dombos, Stephen M. Denenfeld, Lana M. Escamilla, Jennifer Wu, Owen D. Ramey, Kimberly L. Swinehart, Vernon Bennett III

Back Row (L-R): Christopher D. Morris, Jonathan J. Vander Horst, Joseph W. Vander Horst, David A. Lewis, Ronald W. Ryan, Michael A. Shields, Thomas C. Richardson

years, if we are selling just beers and egg rolls, that’s what we would do to survive.”

Louie’s Lake Bar & Grill because there are a lot of lakes around there. There’s a lake across the street and Austin Lake right behind us and three other lakes within three miles.”

Wolf promises that customers can expect a similar ambiance to the original Louie's— a really good dive bar with great food, taxidermy along the walls, and knotty pine paneling, for the look of a lodge. As for the menu, Wolf says it won’t differ much from the traditional Louie’s menu but may have more of a focus on seafood.

“The first customers we could have, we could only have outside on our patio,” Wolf says. “How we survived Covid downtown was going from 30 employees down to five. I cooked every day. We had two bartenders, me and two other cooks, and we worked every day. At that point, we got shut down, but we were already in the middle of the Texas Corners location. Like every restaurant, we dropped down by 80 or 90 percent, but failure was not an option. After a hundred

But now, with the business at full throttle at both locations, Wolf and VandeMaele are planning the third location. Plans are to put in new flooring at the former Long Lake Tavern, rebuild the bar, expand the kitchen, fancy up the restrooms, bring in new furniture, and create an enticing outdoor space with fire pits, cornhole games, and an area for live music.

“I’m going to say we will open by December — that’s our goal,” Wolf says. “It will be called

“We’re going to change a lot, but not too much,” he says. “Plans are to hire between 10 to 15 people. Staff at the (Long Lake) Tavern have been invited to stay on too. And we can also move people around from (our) other two locations if they want to work there. We always give people that option. Our customers and our employees will always come first in our eyes, and we plan to build on that.”

Thursday, December 5 Members’ Night! 5pm - 8pm Friday, December 6 5pm - 8pm Saturday, December 7 9am - 3pm

Louie's will open its third location, Louie's Lake Bar & Grill, in the former Long Lake Tavern in Portage.

TheArts

YouthNewPlay Project

Nov. 1

Face Off Theatre

New plays written and directed by local youth will be staged in the Epic Center's Jolliffe Theatre, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are on a "pay-what-you-wish" basis and available online at faceofftheatre.com.

AChristmas

Carol:Season’s Greedings

Nov. 21–Dec. 8

Farmers Alley Theatre

With music, puppetry, pantomime and comedy, this adaptation promises a new take on the Dickens holiday classic.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21–22, 29–30 and Dec. 5–6 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23, 24, 30, Dec. 1, 7 and 8. Tickets are $25–$51 and available at farmersalleytheatre.com or by calling 343–2727.

TheDeadMemoirs

Hedwig&theAngryInch

Dormouse Theatre

Two very different musicals will grace the stage this month at the Dormouse Theatre.

The Dead Memoirs is a hip-hop musical retelling of the Brazilian novel The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas. It will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 and 9. Tickets are $10.

Hedwig & the Angry Inch tells the story of Hedwig Robinson, a gender-queer East German singer of a fictional rock 'n' roll band. It will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22–23 and 29–30. Tickets are $20.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit dormousetheatre.com.

TheImportanceofBeingEarnest

Nov. 7–10

Festival Playhouse

Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy about two young men in Victorian society who adopt fictional identities to escape social obligations will be performed at Kalamazoo College's Balch Playhouse.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7–9 and 2 p.m. Nov. 10. Tickets are $5–$25 and available at festivalplayhouse.kzoo.edu.

RadiumGirls

Rodgers&Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Kalamazoo Civic Theatre

The Kalamazoo Civic offers two female-fronted productions this month:

Radium Girls , a drama about women who became ill from working as dial painters in the 1920s, will be staged in the Parish Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8–9 and 15–16 and 2 p.m. Nov. 10 and 17. The play's director, Miriam Thomas, will be on hand for audience questions after the Nov. 9 and 17 shows.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella , a musical based on the classic fairy tale, will be performed from Nov. 29–Dec. 22 on the Civic Auditorium stage. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 and 2 p.m. Nov. 30–Dec. 1, 7–8, 14–15 and 21–22.

Tickets for each show are $17–$32 and available at kazoocivic. com or by calling 343-1313.

ElfJr.TheMusical

Nov. 22–24

Center Stage Theatre

This musical based on a hit movie tells the story of Buddy, one of Santa's elves searching for his true identity in New York City.

A youthful cast will bring the story to life at Comstock Community Auditorium at 7 p.m. Nov. 22–23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23–24. Tickets are $12–15 and available at kzoocst.com.

Legally Blonde

Nov. 8–24

WMU Theatre

This musical based on the movie of the same name follows the transformation of sorority girl Elle Woods as she attends Harvard Law School to prove her potential as a lawyer.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8–9, 15–16 and 21–23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 10, 17 and 24 in Western Michigan University's Shaw Theatre. Tickets are $7–$24 and available at wmich.edu/theatre or by calling 387-6222.

AChristmasCarol

Nov. 22–Dec. 22

The New Vic Theatre

This Dickens classic, a staple of Kalamazoo's holiday season, returns to the New Vic on Nov. 22. The show has 21 scheduled performances in November and December, and at press time seats were still available for these shows: 8 p.m. Nov. 22–23 and 29–30 and Dec. 4–5, 11–12 and 18–19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 24. Tickets are $36 and can be purchased at thenewvictheatre.org.

Other Productions

• Amongstthe Magnolias , All Ears Theatre

• HauntingofHillHouse , WMU Theatre

• FindingNemoJr. , Kalamazoo Civic Theatre

Coronationofthe DragonflyQueen

Nov. 16 & 17

Ballet Arts Ensemble

Youth dancers will perform as nature's creatures gathering in a garden to crown their new queen in this ballet that will be staged at Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts, in Richland.

Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 7 p.m. Nov. 17. Tickets are $15–$20 and available at baetickets.org.

Chromic Duo

Nov. 22–24

Fontana Chamber Arts

Chromic Duo, an awarding-winning duo that blends toy piano, electronics and multimedia, will perform with Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers in this production at the Wellspring Theater, in the Epic Center.

The program will include a new commission that explores how love is expressed through cultural memory.

Show times are 8 p.m. Nov. 22–23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 24. Tickets are $15–$30 and available at fontanachamberarts.org.

TheArts

Connecting Chords Music Festival

Throughout the month

Various venues

Connecting Chords offers an eclectic slate of artists this month, with performances by:

• Grupo Bella, a Los Angeles-based ensemble that will play in celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St. Tickets are $5–$12.

• Awaken to Sound, an ensemble providing an immersive sound experience using Tibetan healing bowls and song, at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S. Rose St. This event is free, but donations will be accepted.

• Samite, a Ugandan musician specializing in the kalimba, marimba and flute, at 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 804 W. North St. This event is free, but donations will be accepted on site.

• Joe Buchanan, who plays country music steeped in the Torah, at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at Congregation of Moses, 2501 Stadium Drive. Tickets are $5–$17.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit connectingchordsfestival.com.

WMU School of Music Concerts

Throughout the month

Various venues

Tchaikovsky’sSixth: SymphonyofPassion

Beethoven’sFourthSymphony

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

The KSO will play two iconic symphonies and debut a new work in performances at Miller Auditorium this month.

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony and a brand-new work composed by James Lee III and performed by New York Philharmonic Principal Clarinetist Anthony McGill will be on the program in a concert starting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2.

Violinist Mio Imai, the 2024 Stulberg International String Competition gold medalist, will join the KSO for a performance featuring Beethoven’s Fourth Symphonyat 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

Tickets to each concert are $5–$68 and available at kalamazoosymphony.com.

LoveIs:Gratitude (Volume8)

Nov. 10

Kalamazoo Choral Arts

The Kalamazoo College Singers will join Kalamazoo Choral Arts for this annual tribute to love that will feature music by underrepresented composers.

Show time is 4 p.m. Nov. 10 in Kalamazoo College's Dalton Theatre. Tickets are $5–$19 and available at kalamazoochoralarts.org.

• Frank Waln, Lakota multi-genre musician, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, with pre-concert talk at 7 p.m., $5–$15.

• Studio recital, featuring student composers, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

From guest artists to award-winning student ensembles, Western Michigan University's School of Music has a full schedule of performances in November. Unless noted, the performances will be in the Dalton Center Recital Hall and are free. Scheduled this month are:

• Gold Company Sneak Preview, featuring WMU’s vocal jazz groups Gold Company and Gold Company II, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, $5–$15.

• Dido and Aeneas, opera, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and 9, $5–$15.

• Bronco Marching Band, 3 p.m. Nov. 10, Miller Auditorium, $5–$15.

• University Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, $5–$15.

• Ryan Robinson, tubist, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, $5–$15.

• 10th Annual Midfest, featuring the University Concert Band and Middle School Honor Band, 7 p.m. Nov. 12, Miller Auditorium, $5–$15.

• Big Band Swing Concert, featuring the University Jazz Orchestra and University Jazz Lab Band, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, $5–$15.

• Birds on a Wire, new-music ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18.

• Campus Choir, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

• Relic Ensemble, string group, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, with pre-concert talk at 7 p.m., $5–$15.

• Leland Matsumura, trombonist, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, $5–$15.

• University Percussion Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

• University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, 3 p.m. Nov. 24, Miller Auditorium, $5–$15.

• Jazz Combo Showcase, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25.

• Western Horn Choir, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit wmich.edu/ music/events.

Group Bella

Anthony McGill

Fazil Say

Jahari Stampley Trio

The Gilmore

Turkish pianist-composer Fazil Say will make his Gilmore debut this month in one of two performances scheduled by The Gilmore.

Say will perform works by major composers and his own compositions in a 2 p.m. recital Nov. 16 in WMU's Dalton Center Recital Hall. Say was discovered when he was 16 and has written five symphonies, two oratorios, various solo concertos, and piano and chamber music works, including some commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the BBC. Tickets are $10–$50.

On Nov. 17, the Jahari Stampley Trio will perform at 4 p.m. at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe as part of the Gilmore's Rising Stars Series. The winner of the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Competition, Stampley has performed at venues including Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and the San Francisco Jazz Center. Tickets are $10–$28.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thegilmore.org.

Celebrating50YearsofStulbergwith RachelBartonPine

Nov. 23

Stulberg International String Competition

This performance by renowned concert violinist and former Stulberg medalist Rachel Barton Pine will kick off celebrations for the Stulberg's 50th anniversary.

Pine was a Stulberg bronze (1990) and silver (1986) medalist and now plays with orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and the Chicago, Vienna, and Detroit symphony orchestras. She holds prizes from several of the world’s leading competitions, including a gold medal at the 1992 J.S. Bach International Violin Competition.

The recital starts at 7:30 p.m. in WMU's Dalton Center Recital Hall. Tickets are $20–$75 and available at stulberg.org.

EmPortugues (InPortuguese)

Nov. 16

Kalamazoo Philharmonia

The U.S. premiere of Portuguese composer and conductor Joly Braga Santos' 4th Symphony will be among the works played by this community orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Kalamazoo College's Dalton Theatre.

The program will also include pieces by Brazilian composers Antônio Carlos Gomes and Clarice Assad. Tickets are $3–$7 and will be available at the door. For more information, visit philharmonia.kzoo.edu.

Fazil Say

TheArts

AimeeLee:ThisBastIsa LatticeaMatrixaDialect

Nov. 1–Jan. 17

Kalamazoo Book Arts Center

This show will feature a paper artist who creates works using the bast fiber from the paper mulberry plant, which is traditionally used to make Korean hanji paper.

A reception for Lee will be held from 5–8 p.m. Nov. 1 at the center. Regular KBAC gallery hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For more information, visit kalbookarts.org.

JohnM.Carney: ARetrospective

Through Dec. 7

Richmond Center for Visual Arts, WMU

Works by photographer and Western Michigan University art professor emeritus John M. “Jack” Carney are on display at the Albertine Monroe-Brown and Netzorg-Kerr galleries.

Carney, who taught at WMU from 1966 to 2000, co-founded the university's graphic design program and Design Center and created the first photography course in the department. The exhibit highlights Carney's black-and-white photographs taken during his travels.

Gallery hours are noon–6 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. For more information, visit wmich.edu/art.

(Image: John M. Carney, "Black Hills, South Dakota" (1997), silver gelatin print, 26 x 34 inches)

VISUAL ARTS

Art Hop

Nov. 1

Downtown Kalamazoo

The theme “The Art of Practice,” emphasizing students and art education, will be the focus of this month’s Art Hop.

This free event, organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, runs from 5–8 p.m. and features a variety of artists’ works as well as live music and the chance to visit downtown businesses.

The Arts Council has an app that provides a guide and map of Art Hop sites, information about participating artists, and walking directions. For more information or to access the app, visit kalamazooarts.org.

KeilaStrongTextiles Exhibit

Nov. 1–22

Black Arts & Cultural Center

Chicago multimedia artist Keila Strong is known for her unconventional mosaics that tell stories of Black culture.

An opening night reception for her show is set for 5–8 p.m. Nov. 1 in the BACC's Epic Center gallery. Regular hours for the gallery are 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Tuesdays–Fridays. For more information, visit blackartskalamazoo.org.

Ongoing Exhibitions

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts:

• LegendaryVoices:ArtfortheNext Century, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, through Feb. 16.

• PowerfulForces:Legends,Rituals& Warriors in East Asian Art, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, through Jan. 19.

Mary Calletto Rife Youth Literature Seminar

Nov. 1

Kalamazoo Public Library

The keynote presenters for this online event will be author Kelly J. Baptist and author/illustrators Vashti Harrison and Emmy Kastner.

Baptist is the author of Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero (her first full-length novel), Eb & Flow and other titles featuring Black child characters. Harrison's books include Big (for which she won the 2024 Caldecott Medal) and Dream Big, Little One, and Kastner's include While You're Asleep and the Nerdy Babies book series.

The seminar runs from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and will include breakout sessions in addition to presentations by the guest authors. The event is free, but registration is required at kpl.gov.

Author Talks

Nov. 6 and 11

KVCC and KPL

Ancestral heritage is the topic of two author visits to Kalamazoo this month:

Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and author of the bestselling book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, will speak at 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Nov. 6 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Lake Auditorium, on the Texas Township campus.

Kimmerer is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and her presentations are part of KVCC's Honorable Harvest lecture series and its Visiting Writers series. Each lecture will be different and is free, but tickets are required. For tickets or more information, visit kvcc.edu/campuslife/visitingwriters.

In a Nov. 11 talk, author Shonda Buchanan, author of Black Indian, will discuss her memoir and her family’s legacy of being African American with American Indian roots in Michigan. Her presentation, titled "Exploring Black Indian Heritage, Intersections and Veterans," is set for 6 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library's Eastwood Branch. Registration at kpl.gov is required.

Diane Seuss & Jane Huffman

Nov. 9

Kalamazoo Book Arts Center

A virtual reading by Pulitzer Prize winning poet Diane Seuss and poet Jane Huffman will be held at 7 p.m. as part of the KBAC's Poets in Print series.

Seuss is the author of six books of poetry, the most recent of which frank: sonnets (2021) garnered the PEN/Voelcker Prize, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry, and the Pulitzer Prize. A professor emerita at Kalamazoo College, she also received the John Updike Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2021.

Huffman, whose debut collection, Public Abstract, won the 2023 APR/Honickman First Book Prize, is a doctoral student in English and Literary Arts at the University of Denver. Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Poetry, The Nation and elsewhere. She was a 2019 recipient of the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation.

To get the link to the reading, visit https://kalbookarts.org.

Kalamazoo Improv Festival

Nov. 7–9

Crawlspace

Comedy Theatre

If you need something to laugh about this month, you'll probably find it at this threeday laugh fest that will bring 21 improv teams from across the Midwest to Crawlspace's stage. The weekend will include workshops on improv comedy as well as performances by local troupes Baby Steps, Joyce II Men and Crawlspace Eviction and by Chicago's Big Deborah, Bench Back Book and Dumb John.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and 9. Tickets for performances are $22–$55, or an all-event pass is $110. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit crawlspacecomedy.com.

Kelly J. Baptist

Vashti Harrison Emmy Kastner

Jane Huffman

Diane Seuss

PERFORMING ARTS

THEATER

Plays

Haunting of Hill House — A drama about a house with a morbid history, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1–2, 2 p.m. Nov. 3, Williams Theatre, WMU, 387-6222, wmich.edu/theatre.

Annual Youth New Play Project — Plays written & directed by youth in the community, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, presented by Face Off Theatre Company, Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, faceofftheatre.com.

The Importance of Being Earnest — Oscar Wilde’s comedy about a man with a double life, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7–9, 2 p.m. Nov. 10, Balch Playhouse, Kalamazoo College, festivalplayhouse.kzoo.edu.

Radium Girls — A drama about women who became ill from working as dial painters, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8–9 & 15–16, 2 p.m. Nov. 10 & 17, Parish Theatre, 405 W. Lovell St.; talk-back with director Miriam Thomas at Nov. 9 & 17 shows; 343-1313, kazoocivic.com.

A Christmas Carol: Season’s Greedings — An adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic with music, puppetry, pantomime & comedy, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21–22, 29–30, Dec. 5–6, 2 p.m. Nov. 23–24, 30, Dec. 1, 7–8, Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, 343–2727, farmersalleytheatre.com.

Musicals

Finding Nemo Jr. — The Civic Youth Theatre’s Penguin Project, which gives children with special needs a chance to perform, presents an adventure based on the Pixar film, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 2, 2 p.m. Nov. 3, Civic Auditorium, 329 S. Park St., 343-1313, kazoocivic.com.

The Dead Memoirs — A hip-hop retelling of the Brazilian classic about a privileged, debaucherous fool, 7 p.m. Nov. 8–9, Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St., dormousetheatre.com.

Legally Blonde — Elle Woods attends Harvard Law School to prove her potential as a lawyer, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8–9, 15–16 & 21–23, 2 p.m. Nov. 10, 17 & 24, Shaw Theatre, WMU, 387-6222, wmich.edu/ theatre.

Dear Evan Hansen — A high school senior with social anxiety invents a role for himself in a classmate's tragedy, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 & 15, Miller Auditorium, millerauditorium.com.

Elf Jr. The Musical — Buddy the elf looks for his father, a businessman in New York, presented by Center Stage Theatre, Nov. 22–24, Comstock Community Auditorium, 2107 N. 26th St., kzoocst.com.

Hedwig & the Angry Inch — The story of a gender-queer East German rock 'n' roll singer, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22–23 & Nov. 29–30, Dormouse Theatre, dormousetheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol — Annual production of the classic Dickens story by The New Vic Theatre, 8 p.m. Nov. 22–23, 29–30, Dec. 4–5, 11–12 & 18–19, 2 p.m. Nov. 24, New Vic Theatre, 134 E. Vine St., 381-3328, thenewvictheatre.org.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella — A contemporary take on the classic fairy tale, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 & 20, 2 p.m. Nov. 30–Dec. 1, 7–8, 14–15 & 21–22, Civic Auditorium, 343-1313, kazoocivic.com.

Other

Amongst the Magnolias — All-audio theater production of the Tim Eschelbach comedy, 6 p.m. Nov. 16, Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, 315 W. Michigan Ave., allearstheatre.org.

DANCE

WMU Student Dance Concert — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 & 2 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2 & 3, Studio B, Dalton Center, WMU, wmich.edu/dance/events.

CoronationoftheDragonflyQueen— Ballet Arts Ensemble production, 2 p.m. Nov. 16 & 17, 7 p.m. Nov. 16, Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts, 7753 N. 34th St., Richland, baetickets.org.

Chromic Duo — Pair performing on toy piano, electronics & multimedia in collaboration with Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, 8 p.m. Nov. 22–23, 2 p.m. Nov. 24, Wellspring Theater, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, fontanachamberarts.org.

MUSIC

Bands & Solo Artists

Fly Lite Gemini — Folk/blues duo, 6–8 p.m. Nov. 1, Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S. Rose St., kpl.gov/events.

Battle of the Bands for Kalamazoo — Local bands compete, 6 p.m. Nov. 1, Kalamazoo State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick, kazoostate.com.

Liquid Note Concert Series — Live performances at 119 E. Allegan St., Otsego: The Liquid Notes, 8 p.m. Nov. 1; JR, 8 p.m. Nov. 2; Blues Jam w/Alex Mays, 7 p.m. Nov. 6; Open Mic w/Dan Agne, 7 p.m. Nov. 7; The Bronk Bros., 8 p.m. Nov. 8; Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday, 8 p.m. Nov. 9; Blues Jam w/Joe Johnson, 7 p.m. Nov. 13; Don Savoie, 8 p.m. Nov. 15; Seventh Son, 8 p.m. Nov. 16; Blues Jam w/Michael Howe Jr., 7 p.m. Nov. 20; Chicken, Peck the Keys, 7 p.m. Nov. 21; Project 90, 8 p.m. Nov. 22; Strum, Dumb & Dumber, 8 p.m. Nov. 23; The Band Cordero, 8 p.m. Nov. 29; Kitten & The Tonics, 8 p.m. Nov. 30; liquidnote.com.

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Concerts — Chappell Roan Night – Pink Pony Club, 9 p.m. Nov. 1; Deer Tick with Justin & The Cosmics, Nov. 2; The Local Honeys w/ Darrin Hacquard, Nov. 7; A Tribute to Tom Petty, Nov. 8 & 9; Wild Pink with Friendship & The Soods, Nov.

COME CELEBRATE OUR 2024 COMMUNITY ARTS AWARD RECIPIENTS!

Please join us for our community celebration to honor this year’s award recipients! The event is free, but reservations are required.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm

Dale B. Lake Auditorium on the campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College 6767 West O Avenue, Kalamazoo

There are 3 ways to RSVP: 1) SCAN: The QR Code 2) EMAIL: info@kalamazooarts.org 3) CALL: 269.342.5059

12; Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, Nov. 14; Them Coulee Boys, Nov. 16; Fleetwood Mac Tribute, 7 p.m. Nov. 21, 9 p.m. Nov. 22 & 23; Reinventing Yesterday & If He Does He Dies w/ Snakeout and Mouthful of Locusts, Nov. 29; Flynt Flossy and Turquoise Jeep, Nov. 30; all shows at 8 p.m. unless noted otherwise, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., 382-2332, bellsbeer.com.

Patty Griffin, Hayes Carll & Lori McKenna — Country & Americana singer-songwriters perform together, 8 p.m. Nov. 9, State Theatre, kazoostate.com.

Jake Kershaw — Blues, 8 p.m. Nov. 16, Franke Center for the Arts, 214 E. Mansion St., Marshall; pre-show opening with Tito Villarreal, 7 p.m.; thefranke.org.

Ellis & M.E. — Acoustic trio, 2 p.m. Nov. 17, The Clover Room, 1501 Fulford St., kalamazooarts.org.

So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience — Robert Neary performs a tribute show, 3 p.m. Nov. 17, Miller Auditorium, millerauditorium.com.

Joe Buchanan — Country music steeped in Torah, 4 p.m. Nov. 17, Congregation of Moses, 2501 Stadium Drive, connectingchordsfestival.com.

Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen — 8 p.m. Nov. 23, State Theatre, kazoostate.com.

Orchestra, Chamber, Jazz, Vocal & More Gold Company Sneak Preview — WMU’s vocal jazz groups Gold Company & Gold Company II perform, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.

Saturdays with Stulberg — Virtual recital featuring 2021 Stulberg Bronze Medalist Bobby Boogyeom Park, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2, live on the Stulberg YouTube Channel, stulberg.org.

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth: Symphony of Passion — The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra performs a new work by clarinetist Anthony McGill, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2, Miller Auditorium, kalamazoosymphony.com.

Song and Dance — Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra performance, 3 p.m. Nov. 3, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave., 349–7557, kjso.org.

Grupo Bella — Los Angeles ensemble performs in celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), 4 p.m. Nov. 3, Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St., connectingchordsfestival.com.

The Piano Guys — Musical quartet, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Miller Auditorium, millerauditorium.com.

Dido and Aeneas— Opera performance, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 & 9, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/ music/events.

Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra — 2–3:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Drive, parchmentlibrary.org.

Bronco Marching Band — 3 p.m. Nov. 10, Miller Auditorium, wmich.edu/music/events.

Love Is: Gratitude (Volume 8) — Kalamazoo Choral Arts performance featuring music by underrepresented composers, 4 p.m. Nov. 10,

Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College, with online option available, kalamazoochoralarts.org.

University Symphony Orchestra — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/ events.

Ryan Robinson — Tubist, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/events.

GLAMA Acoustic Slow Jam — Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association's acoustic stringed instrument jam, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Van Deusen Room, Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S. Rose St., kpl.gov/events.

10th Annual Midfest — University Concert Band performs with Middle School Honor Band, 7 p.m. Nov. 12, Miller Auditorium, wmich.edu/music/ events.

Awaken to Sound — Immersive sound experience involving Tibetan healing bowls & song, 6 p.m. Nov. 13, Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S. Rose St., connectingchordsfestival.com.

Frank Waln —Lakota multi-genre musician, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Dalton Center Recital Hall, with preconcert talk at 7 p.m., wmich.edu/music/events.

Student Recital — Featuring student composers, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/events.

Big Band Swing Concert — University Jazz Orchestra & University Jazz Lab Band, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/ music/events.

Jazz Rhythm Section Day — 9 a.m. Nov. 16, Dalton Center, wmich.edu/music/events.

Fazil Say — Turkish pianist-composer, 2 p.m. Nov. 16, Dalton Center Recital Hall, thegilmore.org.

Samite — Ugandan musician playing the kalimba, marimba & flute, 3 p.m. Nov. 16, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 804 W. North St., connectingchordsfestival.com.

Em Portugues (In Portuguese) — Kalamazoo Philharmonia performs the U.S. premiere of a symphony by Joly Braga Santos and two shorter works by Brazilian composers, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College, philharmonia. kzoo.edu.

Jahari Stampley Trio — Jazz, 4 p.m. Nov. 17, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., 342-1166, thegilmore.org.

Academy Street Winds Concert — 4 p.m. Nov. 17, Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College, music.kzoo. edu/events.

Birds on a Wire — New-music ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich. edu/music/events.

Campus Choir — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/events.

Relic Ensemble — String group playing early music, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Dalton Center Recital Hall, with pre-concert talk at 7 p.m., wmich.edu/music/events.

Kalamazoo College’s Jazz Band — 7 p.m. Nov. 21, Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College, music.kzoo.edu/ events.

Leland Matsumura — Trombonist, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/ events.

Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony — The KSO performs with 2024 Stulberg Gold Medalist Mio Imai, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22, Miller Auditorium, kalamazoosymphony.com.

University Percussion Ensemble — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/ events.

Celebrating 50 Years of Stulberg — Violinist

Rachel Barton Pine performs, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Dalton Center Recital Hall, stulberg.org.

University Wind Symphony & Symphonic Band — 3 p.m. Nov. 24, Miller Auditorium, wmich.edu/ music/events.

Jazz Combo Student Showcase — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/ events.

Western Horn Choir — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26, Dalton Center Recital Hall, wmich.edu/music/events.

COMEDY

Crawlspace Comedy Theatre — The Trial: Improvised Comedy Murder Trial, Nov. 1; Oh, Hey!, Nov. 2; Joyce II Men, Nov. 15; Canned Champagne, Nov. 16; Crawlspace Eviction, Nov. 22; Daddy’s Boys & Baby Steps, Nov. 23; Blunder Bus, Nov. 29; Riddled with English, Nov. 30; all shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Crawlspace Theatre, 315 W. Michigan Ave., crawlspacecomedy.com.

Slap Your Tail Comedy — Improv comedy show, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 2, Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St., dormousetheatre.com.

Kalamazoo Improv Festival — 10 comedy teams from the Midwest & beyond compete, 5:30–11 p.m. Nov. 7–9, Crawlspace Theatre, 315 W. Michigan Ave., crawlspacecomedy.com.

Mark Normand — Comedian from Netflix’s Soup to Nuts, 7 p.m. Nov. 8, State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick St., kazoostate.com.

Jordan Klepper: Suffering Fools — Comedian shares personal stories from his travels, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Miller Auditorium, WMU, millerauditorium.com.

FILM

Reveries & Reveries: Going Deeper — About two mysterious drifters, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St., dormousetheatre.com.

VISUAL ARTS

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 314 S. Park St., 349-7775, kiarts.org

Exhibitions

Powerful Forces: Legends, Rituals & Warriors in East Asian Art — Themes of power & legend intrinsic to East Asian heritage as depicted in art, through Jan. 19.

Legendary Voices: Art for the Next Century — Artwork celebrating the KIA's centennial year, through Feb. 16.

Events

ArtBridges Access for All — Free general admission every fourth Thursday of the month, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Richmond Center for Visual Arts Western Michigan University, 387-2436, wmich.edu/art/galleries

DeVries Student Gallery — Murals exhibition, Nov. 5–8; Sam Foster paintings & Myra Sapit prints, Nov. 12–23.

Jack Carney Retrospective — Black & white photography, through Dec. 7, Albertine MonroeBrown & Netzorg-Kerr galleries.

Other Venues

Keila Strong — Works by the textile artist, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Tuesdays–Fridays, Nov. 1–22; opening reception, 5–8 p.m. Nov. 1, Black Arts & Cultural Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, blackartskalamazoo.org.

Art Hop — Displays with the theme “The Art of Practice,” focusing on art education, 5–8 p.m. Nov. 1, downtown Kalamazoo, 342–5059, kalamazooarts.org.

Aimee Lee: This Bast Is a Lattice a Matrix a Dialect — Paper art, Nov. 1–Jan. 17, with artist's reception 5–8 p.m. Nov. 1, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 103A, 3734938, kalbookarts.org.

LIBRARY & LITERARY EVENTS

Comstock Township Library 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org

CTL Writers — Group discussion of writing, 10 a.m. Fridays.

Book Tasting — Sample up to 20 books from five categories, 6–7:30 p.m. Nov. 20; registration required.

Adult Book Club — Discussion of Sabrina Imbler's How Far the Light Reaches, 6 p.m. Nov. 21; registration required.

Pride Book Club — Discussion of Sonora Reyes' The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, 4 p.m. Nov. 22, in-person & online; registration required.

Kalamazoo Public Library 553-7800, kpl.gov

Mary Calletto Rife Youth Literature Seminar — Online event featuring authors Vashti Harrison, Kelly Baptist & Emmy Kastner, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 1; registration required.

KPL Tech Days — Personal session to learn technology & the internet, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Nov. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16 & 18; Central Library, 315 S. Rose St.; sessions are first-come, first-served.

Monday Movie Matinee — A film showing for adults, 11 a.m. Nov. 4, Central Library.

No Shelf Control: A Graphic Novel Book Club — Discussion of R.J. Palacio's White Bird, 6 p.m. Nov. 5, Central Library.

Resume Writing Workshop —Tips on resume writing, formatting & presentation, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Nov. 6, 13, 20 & 27, Central Library.

Exploring Black Indian Heritage, Intersections & Veterans — Author Shonda Buchanan discusses her memoir Black Indian, 6 p.m. Nov. 11, Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave.; registration required.

Page Turners Book Club — Discussion of Victor Lavalle's Lone Women, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W. Main St. & online; registration required for online access.

Rose Street Poetry Club — Poetry reading & writing session for adults, 9 a.m. Nov. 12, Central Library.

Reading Race Group — Discussion of Xochitl Gonzalez's Olga Dies Dreaming, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Central Library.

Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee — Teams compete to raise funds for Ready to Read, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13,

WMU’s Fetzer Center, 2251 Business Court; sign up in advance on the library’s website.

Music & Memories — Songs & discussion fostering older adults' social & emotional wellness, 11 a.m. Nov. 18, Oshtemo Branch.

Women of the Watch, Keepers of the Light — Storyteller Anna Marck presents program on female lighthouse keepers, 6 p.m. Nov. 18, Oshtemo Branch.

KPL Mobile Library: Family Literacy Day — Activities to strengthen literacy skills & learning, 5–7 p.m. Nov. 20, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, 420 E. Alcott St.

Classics Revisited — Discussion of Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Central Library.

Dungeons & Dragons Game Night — For adults from beginner to experienced levels, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Central Library; registration required.

Senior Citizens’ Breakfast — Breakfast & opportunity to ask health care questions, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22, Eastwood Branch.

Bujo & Chill for Teens & Adults — A morning of lo-fi hip-hop music & bullet journaling, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 23, Oshtemo Branch.

Coffee & Connections — A community gathering with library staff, 9 a.m. Nov. 25, Central Library; light refreshments served.

“Wicked” Party — Activities celebrating the upcoming release of the Wicked movie, 5 p.m. Nov. 25, Oshtemo Branch.

Friends of KPL Gift Book Sale — Hundreds of gift quality books, DVDs and CDs, Noon–6 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursdays–Saturdays, Nov. 29–Dec. 28, Friends of KPL Bookstore, Lower Level Central Library, 315 S. Rose St., kpl.gov/friends.

Parchment Community Library

401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org

Parchment Book Group – Discussion of Michiko Aoyama's What You Are Looking For Is in the Library: A Novel, 6 p.m. Nov. 11, Biggby Coffee, 116 S. Riverview Drive, Parchment; location for November only.

Friends of the Library Book Sale – 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; early-bird admission for $2, 8–9 a.m. Nov. 16.

Mystery Book Club — Discussion of Andrea Penrose's Murder at Half Moon Gate, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

Silent Book Club– Bring a book to read in companionable silence, 5:15 p.m. Nov. 25 and 1:15 p.m. Nov. 27.

Portage District Library

300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info

Edgar Wright Movie Night — Shaun of the Dead, rated R, Nov. 1; Hot Fuzz, rated R, Nov. 8; both shows 6:30 p.m.; registration required.

Vote the Chip — Sample different potato chips and vote for your favorite, , 4–8 p.m. Nov. 4.

Muffins and the Market — A discussion of stock market trends, 9 a.m. Nov. 7 & 21.

Documentary & Donuts — Viewing of You Have No Idea, about one family's journey with autism in a small Arkansas town, 10 a.m. Nov. 8.

Abra Beren’s Cooking Demonstration — Live on the Charlie Cart mobile kitchen, 4 p.m. Nov. 13; registration required.

Audiobook Alternatives — Learn how to sign up for and download audiobooks, 7 p.m. Nov. 13; bring your device.

International Mystery Book Club — Discussion of Keigo Higashino’s Malice, 7 p.m. Nov. 14.

Kalamazoo Macintosh Users Group — Help with Macintosh programs and accessories, 9 a.m.–noon Nov. 16.

Saturday Sound Immersion — Wind Willow Consortium members play instruments for relaxation & well-being, 10 a.m. Nov. 16; registration required.

Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society — Open to those interested in genealogy, 7–8:30 p.m. Nov. 18; in-person and online.

Native Gardening Q&A — Presented by Kalamazoo Wild Ones chapter, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20.

Light Lunch & Literature — Discussion of Garth Greenwell’s What Belongs to You, noon Nov. 25, with light lunch served; registration required.

Richland Community Library 8951 Park St., 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org

National Novel Writing Month Challenge — Write a short story using as many words on the library’s list as possible.

Bridge Club — Noon Tuesdays.

Maureen Dunphy — The author discusses her book Divining: A Memoir of Trees, 7 p.m. Nov. 7.

Richland Area Writer’s Group — 10 a.m. Nov. 9 & 23.

Live Music Bingo — With mocktails & prizes, for ages 16 and up, 6 p.m. Nov. 12; registration required.

Adult Dungeons & Dragons Bravo Team — Play a live game, 3 p.m. Nov. 14; registration required.

Richland Genealogy Group — Roundtable discussion, 10 a.m. Nov. 21, in person & online.

RCL Book Club — Discussion of Monica Wood’s How to Read a Book, 6 p.m. Nov. 21.

Vicksburg District Library 215 S. Michigan Ave, 649-1648, vicksburglibrary.org

Bridge Club — 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays.

Book Club for Adults — 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7; this month’s book at the circulation desk.

Kalamazoo Choral Arts invites you to join us for an afternoon of delightful music to put you in the perfect mood for the holiday season. Together we will celebrate the Light that comes with so many holiday traditions from Christmas to the Winter Solstice.

Genre Gathering: Spicy Romance — Discuss favorite authors & books of a chosen genre, for ages 18 and up, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13.

Writer’s Motivational Group — A place for writers to set goals & report progress, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

Classic Film for Adults — Screening of Some Like it Hot, 6 p.m. Nov. 20.

Other Venues

Robin Wall Kimmerer — Presentation by botanist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, 10 a.m. & 2:15 p.m. Nov. 6, KVCC Lake Auditorium, Texas Township, registration required at kvcc.edu/campuslife/visitingwriters.

Rootead’s Poetry Night — Monthly evening of healing through spoken word alongside a featured artist, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, Rootead Studio, 505 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 3, rootead.org.

Poets in Print: Diane Seuss & Jane Huffman — Virtual event, 7 p.m. Nov. 9, kalbookarts.org.

MUSEUMS

Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 N. Rose St., 373-7990, kalamazoomuseum.org

Exhibitions

Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic & Odd Fellows Folk Art — Carvings, textiles and regalia of the Freemasons and Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, through Jan. 5.

Kalamazoo State Hospital: 165 Years of Psychiatric Care — The history of Michigan’s longest-operating mental hospital, through January.

Collecting Black History: Murphy Darden's Legacy — A mini exhibit of artifacts from the Black history collection of the late Kalamazoo artist Murphy Darden, through March 2.

Events

Braiding Sweetgrass — A community discussion about Robin Wall Kimmerer's book, 1 p.m. Nov. 2.

Healing Grounds Through Regenerative Agriculture — A moderated conversation between practitioners and the public, with author Liz Carlisle, 7 p.m. Nov. 13.

Parade Day: North Pole Adventures — PostHoliday Parade activities, free planetarium show, reindeer games & more, 3 p.m. Nov. 23.

NATURE

Kalamazoo Nature Center 7000 N. Westnedge Ave., 381-1574, naturecenter.org

Birds of Prey Training Session — Learn how the KNC trains their avian animal ambassadors, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21.

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 12685 East C Ave., Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

Fall Migration Celebration — Celebrate the fall waterfowl migration, with experts to answer

questions & identify waterfowl, live birds of prey, crafts, games & more, 1–4 p.m. Nov. 3.

Birds & Coffee Chat Online — Learn about winter bird feeding, 10 a.m. Nov. 13; registration required.

Other Venues

Kalamazoo Astronomical Society General Meeting — 7 p.m. Nov. 1, Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave., and online, kasonline.org.

Holiday Card Display at Celery Flats — Walk through giant holiday cards, Nov. 4–Jan. 13, Celery Flats Historical Area, 7335 Garden Lane, portagemi.gov.

Online Viewing Session — Utilizing the KAS's remote telescope in Arizona, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 23 online (cloud date, Nov. 30); register at kasonline.org.

Decorated Tree Display — Walk through trees decorated by the community, Nov. 25–Jan. 2, Celery Flats Historical Area, portagemi.gov.

Audubon Society of Kalamazoo — Discussion on the future of the Kirtland’s warbler, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25, People’s Church, 1758 N. 10th St.; online option available, kalamazooaudubon.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

Kalamatopia — Outdoor market featuring Michigan artisans, 5–8 p.m. Nov. 1, North Kalamazoo Mall by the Radisson Plaza Hotel, kalamatopia.com.

Día de Los Muertos — Remember and honor loved ones on Day of the Dead through music, food and the construction of altars, 5:30–9 p.m. Nov. 1, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St., elconciliokzoo.org.

Harvest Craft Show — Over 100 vendor booths, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 2, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 903-5820, kalcounty.com/newsandevents.

Kalamazoo Numismatic Club Annual Fall Coin Show — Coins, paper money & memorabilia, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 2, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, North Room, 491-0962.

Kalamazoo Farmers Market — 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 2–23, 1204 Bank St., pfcmarkets.com.

West Michigan Harvest Cluster Dog Show — More than 140 AKC recognized breeds compete, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Nov. 7–10, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 616-490-5227.

Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market — New & used items, antiques & crafts, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 16, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 383-8778.

Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo — Reptiles, amphibians & other exotic pets, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 16, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, kalamazooreptileexpo.com.

Girl Scouts Christmas Market — Over 50 vendors, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 17, Girl Scouts Building, 601 W. Maple St., discoverkalamazoo.com.

Fine Arts Sale & Holiday Bazaar — Local artists and vendors, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 23, People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., peopleschurch.net.

Holiday Walk & Market — Handcrafted works by local artisans through decorated rooms of the Kellogg Manor House, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Nov. 23, 29, 30, Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive, 671-2160.

WMU Turkey Trot 5K — Run & walk, 8:30–11:30 a.m. Nov. 23, beginning at Student Recreation Center, WMU, trisignup.com; virtual option available.

Holiday Craft Show — Over 300 booths, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Nov. 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 24, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 903-5820.

Kalamazoo Holiday Parade — Marching bands, holiday-themed floats & giant balloons, 11 a.m. Nov. 23, downtown Kalamazoo, kalamazooholidayparade.org.

Tree Lighting Ceremony — 5–7 p.m., with lighting at about 6 p.m. Nov. 29, Bronson Park, kzooparks.org.

Kalamazoo Antique Toy Show — Antique, vintage & collectible toys, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Nov. 30, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 366–1314.

Jerico Faire — Local makers & artists selling their work, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Nov. 30, Jerico, 1415 Fulford St., hellojerico.com.

Moorsbridge Rd. Portage jim@shinarlaw.com www.shinarlaw.com

Dying Harder

“Progress peaked at frozen pizza.” — John McClane, protagonist of the Die Hard film series

Die hard or harder, life is the same, the thirty-minute treadmill game daily, and hours in the shower staring, trying to forget your job and breathe. Another frozen Tombstone pizza, another Stouffer’s mac and cheese, zoning out on nineties flicks where no one bats an eye at smoking: every bomb’s the same explosion.

You’re old and tired and stupid bored, live one foot to the next to bed to work to couch to bed again: wrong guy, wrong place, wrong time. The movies dull with loud commercials, the worlds revolve like lonely cops, shooting blanks in crowded lots, trading time for hostage lives, and trying to get home for Christmas.

— Simon A. Thalmann

Thalmann is a writer and photographer from Kalamazoo. His work has appeared in many publications, both print and online, including Garfield Lake Review, Gargoyle, Spillway, Verbicide Magazine, Weird Tales, Encore and the Kalamazoo Gazette. His chapbook, Pretty Haunted Meadow, was published in 2020 by Kalamazoo Friends of Poetry as a winner of the group's Celery City Chapbook Contest. He serves as vice president of the board of directors of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

Dann Sytsma (continued from page 38)

comedy scene in Kalamazoo. The improv troupe he co-founded in 2003, Crawlspace Eviction, has grown into Crawlspace Comedy Theatre and Productions, which hosts weekly sketch and improv comedy nights in its location in the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition (KNAC) building, at 315 W. Michigan Ave. Sytsma is the artistic director of those endeavors as well as the co-founder of Improv Effects, which was started in 2012 and, using principles of improv, facilitates workshops for companies navigating culture changes. And in 2019 he took on the role of board president of the KNAC, which owns the building that houses the theater and engaged in an $11 million capital campaign to fund renovations of the building.

But Sytsma’s comedic efforts reach beyond his adopted community. This month Crawlspace Comedy Theatre is bringing in 21 teams of performers from across the Midwest for its 14th annual Kalamazoo Improv Festival, which involves three days of comedy, including performances and workshops.

“It's really fun to invest in other people putting stuff on stage and to see them thrive and feel that validation from the audience,” Sytsma says. “Not just from applause, but from people coming up and saying, ‘That was a really great show. I've never seen that’ or ‘I want to get involved’ or ‘That really made my week.’ Seeing folks experience that — I love it.”

How did you get to where you are today?

I got a biomedical science degree with a chemistry minor and thought I was on my way to medical school. However, the medical schools had a different idea, and so that route was halted, and I wasn't sure what to do. I got a job in a pharmaceutical chemistry lab in Portage, Michigan, while living in Kalamazoo.

Working in a lab was not really filling my bucket. It was definitely a means to an end. I would work during the day. Then evenings and weekends were all about theater and improv and exploring lots of different things. Crawlspace Eviction — our improv troupe — has been through lots of iterations. The current team of five of us, we've been together for over eight years. Then the KNAC project emerged because we’ve always wanted to have our own space, have a home for Crawlspace, and to be able to hold classes and develop new troupes. Through your work with Improv Effects, what are some of the trends you’re seeing in the workplace?

I think the scars of the pandemic are still being discovered. I do think that there were wounds that happened during the pandemic that resemble pressure sores or bed sores, that there was a comfort that set in of not having human connection. I think that had a profoundly destructive impact on our culture and society and led to more judgment and really affected a lot of workplaces. When you couple that lack of social interaction with the smartphone culture that we're in — immediately filling the void of boredom with some high-stimulation activity — it's had a profoundly negative impact

Kalamazoo Improv Festival

What: 21 improv teams from across the Midwest perform and present workshops.

When: Nov. 7–9.

Where: Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, 315 W. Michigan Ave.

How much: Tickets range from $22–$135.

More info: crawlspacecomedy.com/kalamazoo-improv-fest

on workplaces. Now people are coming back to the office and they have forgotten how to have productive conversation, how to simply let other people have ideas without feeling an immediate need to question it and to judge it and to try to make an effort to change minds. (They are not good at) having a civil conversation about it, asking some clarifying questions, and trying to get to understanding rather than an assumption of why people have a different mindset. Improv is a really beautiful tool to be able to build on what people are saying and ask good questions and keep a focus on someone else instead of needing your thinking to come through and to be present. How do you decide which comedians to invite to participate in the Kalamazoo Improv Fest and what are you looking forward to this year?

There's always a cycle that it goes through. We've had years where we featured a lot of Detroit improv teams, and this year it's a little bit more focused on Kalamazoo and Chicago. It’s a balance of familiar and what is up-and-coming. So, there's an improviser named Craig Uhlir out of Chicago — he was featured at the very first Improv Fest here. He's one of the best in Chicago. I just adore him. He's so funny, he's so quirky, he's so high-energy and just inspires everybody around him to do more. So, what Craig brings is encapsulating this year. These Chicago improvisers are really good teachers as well.

Part of the secret plan for world domination of improv in Kalamazoo is to leverage that proximity to Chicago. Not only do (the Chicago comedians) come in and start the festival with a performance, but then they work with local teams. We do workshops, and they help us get to a higher level. The great thing about them is they will observe and respond, and they'll bring their experience to it, but it's not cookie cutter, like, ‘Oh, this is what troupes are doing in Chicago. Do this.’ They'll say, ‘I see what you're doing. Here's how you can do it better.’ They still respect that Kalamazoo is going to have its own identity, it’s going to have its own regional accent. I really think that Kalamazoo could very easily become a small town with a big, big impact on scene-based comedy.

— Interview by Jordan Bradley, edited for length and clarity

Dann Sytsma Founder,

Kalamazoo Improv Festival

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Dann Sytsma felt restricted in his evangelical Christian upbringing, so when he found improv comedy while in college at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, he discovered a previously unimaginable freedom.

"When I got into this improv community, in this troupe, there was just this overwhelming urge to explore and express and do,” Sytsma recalls. “And it was so liberating and free that the art form gave me this path to explore the world and explore different topics and relationships and character types and stories. It opened the floodgates. I've loved it ever since.”

That was 1997, and now, more than two decades later, Sytsma is known as a driving force in establishing an improv and sketch

(continued on page 37)

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