High School Area Show Public Opening
2025-04-26, 2025-05-25 | Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The High School Area Show offers a unique opportunity for high school artists from Kalamazoo and surrounding counties to participate in a juried exhibition and display their work in a museum setting. This program also provides students the chance to win scholarships and prizes. The KIA is proud to support emerging artistic talent and committed to increasing young people’s access to arts and art education.
The show is open to high school students residing in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. Students can submit up to two works online through CaFÉ (callforentry.org). Submissions are being accepted now through February 9. If you have any questions about submitting your work, please email museumed@kiarts.org.

KCA Year-End Showcase/AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration
2025-05-04 | Portage Zhang Senior Center, 203 E Centre Avenue, Portage, MI, 49002, United States
KCA Year-End Showcase/ AANHPI Heritage Month celebration marks the end of a successful year for the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy. This event aims to recognize the hard work and achievements of our students, thank our dedicated teachers and volunteers, and strengthen community ties through a shared meal and cultural performances. Guests will enjoy the following:

Potluck Dinner: Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share, celebrating the diversity of home towns and countries, and fostering community spirit (KCA registered families only).
Year-End Recital: Students will showcase their skills and progress in Chinese language and cultural arts through performances such as music, dance, and skits.
Appreciation Ceremony: Special recognitions and awards will be presented to students, teachers, and volunteers for their outstanding efforts and dedication.
Community Building: Opportunities for networking and bonding among attendees, enhancing the sense of belonging and community support.

We invite everyone to join us in this joyous celebration, reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments and looking forward to the future. Together, we can celebrate the achievements and community spirit that make the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy so special.

Youth Transformative Leadership Summit
2025-05-06, 2025-05-13 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 W. O Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, United States
This event is in partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Community College and provides an all-day conference style event (workshops, speakers, team activities, closing ceremony) for middle school students from KPS and Paramount.

Stulberg International String Competition — Master Classes
2025-05-16 | Dorothy U. Dalton Center – Western Michigan University, 1300 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States
The Stulberg International String Competition’s mission is to promote excellence in string instrument performance by gifted artists under the age of twenty. The Stulberg is one of the longest continuous competitions in the United States for young string musicians. Founded in 1975 to honor Dr. Julius Stulberg, former Professor of Violin at Western Michigan University and conductor of the WMU Symphony Orchestra and Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, the Stulberg has brought world-renowned string performers and teachers to Kalamazoo for 49 years. Through its master classes and education outreach programs, the Stulberg extends its impact by providing artistic and educational opportunities for local musicians and audiences.
The Stulberg Competition features twelve semifinalists chosen from applicants on solo string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass) from around the world utilizing a blind screening process. The 2023/24 Stulberg Competition featured a record high 237 applicants from the USA and 17 other countries of origin. Semifinalists travel to Kalamazoo to compete for prize medals. Medal awards for 2025 are $10,000 (Gold), $7,000 (Silver), and $5,000 (Bronze). Medalists return to Kalamazoo the following season for solo performances with area symphony orchestras and educational outreach. Adjudicators for the 2024/25 Stulberg are internationally renowned musical artists Rachel Barton Pine (violin), Li-Wei Qin (cello), and Lucas Richman (composer/conductor).
Over 2,500 young string musicians from around the world have participated in the Stulberg Competition in its first 49 years. The list of past medalists reads like a Who’s-Who of internationally renowned string artists and teachers, achieving national and international recognition as soloists, major orchestra musicians (often as concertmasters and principal chairs), and teachers at major music schools, including Juilliard and Curtis. Notable Stulberg alumni include Joshua Bell, Anthony Ross, Rachel Barton Pine, Wendy Warner, Nicholas Schwartz, Lucia Lin, Catherine Basrak, and many others.
The 2024/25 Stulberg Competition is the fiftieth anniversary of the program, and many special events/projects are underway to celebrate and commemorate this milestone, including special performances, a new musical commission, gala celebration, commemorative print publication, and special media events.
Master classes are offered to Kalamazoo area student string players during the competition week, with competition adjudicators serving as master class clinicians. Master classes students are selected by video audition and must be under the age of twenty. The public may attend the master classes free of charge.

2nd Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup — Community Fellowship
2025-05-16 10:00 (America/Detroit) | Mayors’ Riverfront Park, 251 Mills Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States
Kalamazoo Rotary’s goal in hosting the Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup is to bring our community together to improve and celebrate the River as wonderful and key asset to the wellbeing of our community. We will be cleaning up trash from Comstock, through Kalamazoo on to Parchment, and ending at D Avenue in Cooper Township. Our efforts will extend to Creeks in this area such as Portage Creek through the Edison Neighborhood.
Last year the Club hosted a similar Kalamazoo River Cleanup event. It was highly successful with over 230 community volunteers, numerous sponsors and partner organizations. We were able to remove 8000 pounds of trash from the River in the section from Comstock to Parchment.
Rotary and our 15 partner organizations and growing, including the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, and many others are committed to continue this as an annual event as a way to educate and inspire our community to actively engage and appreciate the natural values of the River.

Stulberg International String Competition — Semifinals and Finals
2025-05-17 | rving S. Gilmore School of Music – Western Michigan University, 1300 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States

2nd Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup
2025-05-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Mayors’ Riverfront Park, 251 Mills Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States

Women of Achievement Awards Celebration
2025-05-22 | Radisson Plaza Hotel, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Women of Achievement Awards Celebration 2025 will be like no other year before. Bringing over 500 people together annually to celebrate the accomplishments of prominent women in our community, this year’s event will be a celebration of the hundreds of awardees of the past and the strides they have made since their awards. The event will exclusively feature four awards: The newly created Mission Vision Award (awarded to those who exemplify the mission of the YWCA in extraordinary ways), the foundational Dorothy I. Height Social Justice Innovation Award, a revival of the historical Genieve U. Gilmore Volunteer Award and a special honor to a Young Woman of Achievement who has demonstrated ongoing commitment to her community.
Featuring multimedia presentations, a prominent national keynote speaker and an exceptional line up of local women committed to equity work, Women of Achievement Awards Celebration 2025 promises to be an evening to remember.

Ride The Cyclone
2025-05-29 - 2025-06-15 | Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Individual tickets on sale 4/3/25
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster.
When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived.The show has also become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of videos created across TikTok and Instagram. With this regional premiere, Ride The Cyclone is a 90-minute thrill ride you won’t soon forget.
American Sign Language interpreted performance on Thursday, June 5. ASL performances generously sponsored by Barbara Rider and Fred Sammons.
“This delightfully weird and just plain delightful show will provide the kind of thrills we look for in all musical comedies…just plain fun from start to finish.” – The New York Times
RIDE THE CYCLONE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. www.broadwaylicensing.com

74th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair
2025-06-06 15:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-07 09:00 - 17:00 | Bronson Park, 200 S Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The 74th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair is a beloved community event, featuring up to 135 juried fine artists, live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, and art-making demonstrations on the first Friday and Saturday in June. Each year, the KIA welcomes 15,000+ visitors to Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park to celebrate and invest in the arts by providing a platform for fine artists to showcase their creative talents and sell their work. Your support allows the KIA to continue to grow the Arts Fair by inviting more local artists, engaging more community partners, and encouraging more visitors to visit this great city. In 2025, we will expand our reach to increase opportunities for student artists, working closely with Kirk Newman Art School and our local educational partners. In addition, we will expand the family fun area with games and activities for all ages, creating a dynamic centerpiece that fosters joy and connection while ensuring that everyone feels welcome.

Success for Every Child: An Evening of Celebration
2025-06-13 17:30 - 22:00 | Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center, 6225 North 39th Street, Augusta, MI, 49012, United States
Join us as we celebrate the lives that have been changed at Sherman Lake YMCA and the important part you and others have in making it happen. Proceeds from this event are used for scholarships that provide opportunities for area youth to attend summer camp. The celebration includes a wine and beer tasting, live music, an auction, dinner, and dessert. The dress code for the evening is business casual. This event is attended by existing donors, community members and representatives from our sponsoring organizations.

2025 Community Meeting
2025-10-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Comstock Community Auditorium, 2107 N 26th St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49408, United States
As Kalamazoo Community Foundation celebrates its 100-year anniversary, we’re bringing back our Community Meeting! As we work to establish a thriving community for all, we invite you to join us for a conversation with Emmy Award-winning journalist Jemele Hill. Together, we’ll explore how to usher in an era of economic mobility for every resident of Kalamazoo County.

National Cookie Day at Mackenzies Bakery
2025-12-04 08:00 - 18:00 | Mackenzies Bakery, 103 E Prairie St, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Join us at Mackenzies Bakery for National Cookie Day! As we celebrate 100 years of impact across Kalamazoo County, the first 100 cookies sold on December 4 will be free of charge courtesy of KZCF. *One cookie per customer.

2026 Kalamazoo Go Red for Women Gala
2026-02-26 | Radisson Plaza Hotel, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s signature initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in women. The movement provides resources for women to know their risk, take action to live heart-healthy lives, and find support. Key activities include encouraging people to wear red on National Wear Red Day (the first Friday in February), advocating for inclusive health policies, supporting research, and encouraging community involvement.

Bowl for Kids' Sake
2026-02-28 11:30 - 16:30 | Revel & Roll West, 4500 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States
Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS) is a signature fundraising and community engagement event benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Teams of friends, coworkers, and families come together to have fun, raise funds, and celebrate the power of mentorship—all while supporting young people in their local communities.

Driving into History: Cameras, Cars & Creativity
2026-03-06 18:00 | Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, MI, 49060, United States
The Merze Tate Explorers, in partnership with the Burns Archives, Gilmore Car Museum, and the Kalamazoo Black Arts and Cultural Center, present a traveling exhibition celebrating the stories of African American women and girls through historic cars and photography.

Art Hop at KZCF!
2026-03-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 402 East Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Join us on Friday, March 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as we showcase the work of youth artists from across Kalamazoo County in our Winter Garden space at KZCF! Handheld snacks and a complimentary lemonade bar will be available to all guests.

WGVU KidsDay at the Air Zoo 2026
2026-03-08 12:00 - 17:00 | Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, 6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI, 49002, United States
The Kalamazoo Air Zoo features more than 100 rare air and space artifacts, amusement park-style rides, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, newly renovated Missions Theater, historical exhibits, and educational activities.
On Sunday, March 8th, join WGVU for an afternoon of fun for the whole family with admission to the Air Zoo for ONLY $5.00 per person (kids 4 and under are FREE) – a huge discount from regular admission price! The event will include special appearances by PBS Kids characters, live entertainment, giveaways, plus all the Air Zoo has to offer!

YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo 2026 Annual Community Breakfast
2026-04-09 07:00 | Radisson Plaza hotel at Kalamazoo Center, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
For sixteen decades, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has been the heartbeat of our community. The 2026 Annual Community Breakfast, presented by R.W. Lapine, is a celebration of this historic milestone and a recommitment to a future without barriers.

Your presence does more than fill a seat — it fuels the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo’s Annual Campaign, ensuring that “FOR ALL” isn’t just a slogan, but a promise.

The 2026 Youth Soloist Competition with the Kalamazoo Concert Band
2026-04-18 | Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalmazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The Kalamazoo Concert Band (KCB) was founded in 1961 to provide continued symphonic band experiences beyond high school and college instrumental music programs. The KCB presents four concerts per season (October, December, February, April) and a summer series. All concerts are free and open to the public.

In 1980 the Kalamazoo Concert Band established a scholarship competition for outstanding high school wind and percussion instrumentalists. High school wind and percussion players throughout Michigan are invited to compete for a $2,000 scholarship and the opportunity to appear as a Guest Soloist with the Kalamazoo Concert Band at it’s spring concert.

Supporting the Youth Soloist Concert with the Kalamazoo Concert allows you to associate your brand with a premier musical ensemble that furthers the arts in Southwest Michigan, promotes musical education, and provides FREE and ACCESSIBLE performances to the community. The concert targets high school students who have a desire to pursue musical education beyond high school.

Champs Celebration
2026-04-22 | Radisson Plaza hotel at Kalamazoo Center, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The Champs Celebration is an annual event to highlight those who have gone above and beyond for kids in partnership with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo. The event offers an opportunity to celebrate our community’s value of education and to honor those who are present for students and empower them to realize their full potential.

There are four awards presented during the evening; Champs Award, Gulnar Husain Volunteer Award, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo Staff Appreciation, and the Diether Haenicke Promise of Excellence Award. Award recipients are nominated by Communities In Schools staff members, Communities In Schools Board members, Kalamazoo Public Schools’ leadership, and the City of Kalamazoo leadership. The audience for Champs includes leadership from Kalamazoo Public Schools, community partners, Communities In Schools volunteers, event sponsors, Board members, and donors of all kinds.

The Gilmore Piano Festival Film Series
2026-04-30 - 2026-05-10 | Kalamazoo Valley Museum – Stryker Theater, 230 N Rose Street, Kalamazoo, 49007, United States
The Gilmore Film Series offers audiences an inside look at a thoughtful selection of films that highlight the lives of world renowned pianists, the cultural influence of music, and the challenges, triumphs, and influences of artists face around the world.

Portage Street Unit Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
2026-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Portage Street Unit, 847 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
The Portage Street Unit Grand Opening will be an evening to welcome the community to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo’s newest site. This project began in 2019. The Grand Opening will be a celebration of the journey and the community’s dedication to our young people. Community members are welcome to enjoy the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Community Open House.

75th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair
2026-06-05 15:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Bronson Park, 200 S Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The 75th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair is a beloved community event, featuring up to 135 juried fine artists, live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, and art-making demonstrations on the first Friday and Saturday in June. The event is free and open to the public.

Portage Street Unit Grand Opening Community Open House
2026-06-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Portage Street Unit, 847 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States

Success for Every Child: An Evening of Celebration 2026
2026-06-12 17:30 - 22:00 | Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center (Kellogg Hall), 6225 N 39th Street, Augusta, MI, 49012, United States
Success for Every Child: An Evening of Celebration 2026 is an annual fundraiser designed to celebrate the lives that have been changed at Sherman Lake YMCA and the important part community members have played in making it happen. Proceeds from this event are used for scholarships that provide opportunities for area youth to attend summer camp.
