Apr 24 Wednesday
Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones April Program is a talk by Mitch Lettow, Stewardship Director, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. More details at https://kalamazoo.wildones.org/april-2024-program/.
HIROMI, pianoPUBLIQuartet: Hamilton Berry, Cello – Jannina Norpoth, Violin – Nick Revel, Viola – Curtis Stewart, Violin
Our opening night will blend the world of contemporary jazz and classical fusion as superstar pianist Hiromi and the acclaimed PUBLIQuartet team up for a unique collaboration. Known for her outgoing stage presence and personal style, Hiromi captivates audiences around the world with her dynamic energy and emotional depth. Her boundary-busting blend of genres has earned accolades and a devoted fan base for her creativity. Her critically-acclaimed albums include Spiral, Brain, and Voice, which showcase her distinctive compositions. The collaboration with PUBLIQuartet combines piano and string quartet to turn classical music on its head.
Join us for the After Party at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, where we’ll be surrounded by music AND art as we pay tribute to Japanese and American culture with live music, drinks, and food stations featuring traditional and fusion foods. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the colorful Dale Chihuly glass chandelier, “Kalamazoo Ruby Light” glowing from the South Street entryway.
Get ready to celebrate as we kick off the 2024 Festival with a party at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts following the opening concert by Hiromi and PublicQuartet. Just as they seamlessly weave together genres, this event is set to honor the fantastic fusion of Japanese and American cultures.
Enjoy food stations crafted with a mix of traditional and fusion delights, sip on a variety of beverages while enjoying live music that’ll keep the celebration going. We hope you’ll join us to connect with festival friends, both old and new!
Apr 25 Thursday
Katia Labèque, pianoMarielle Labèque, piano
French sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque make their highly anticipated Gilmore debut in works by Schubert, Debussy, Ravel, and Philip Glass. Respected for their musical synergy and interpretative depth, they were hailed by The New York Times as having “…Transformed the Piano Duo.” Their programming is inventive and broad, taking us from the haunting Fantasy in F Minor by Schubert (one of his last works before his death), and the intricate “Mother Goose” suite by Ravel, to the monumentally powerful 4 Movements by American composer Philip Glass.
6:30 pm Concert preview with Dr. Sophiè van der Westhuizen, Olmstead Room, Mandelle Hall
Apr 26 Friday
Eat Drink Give is an annual extravaganza where guests can indulge in an array of cuisines from various local restaurants, sip on refreshing wine and beer, and try their luck at winning some fabulous auction and raffle prizes. Top it all off with a DJ and photowall, and you've got yourself a FUNdraiser you don’t want to miss!
Doors: 6:30PM | Show: 7:30PM
The Kalamazoo State Theatre is excited to announce an unforgettable night of music and nostalgia with The Magic Of Motown,” presented by Moxie Events. This spectacular show will light up the historic stage on Friday, April 26, promising an evening filled with the iconic sounds that defined a generation.
The Magic Of Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville, USA
Moxie Events brings to life the timeless music of Motown with “The Magic of Motown.” This enchanting show is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of the era that brought us some of the most influential music in history. With a cast of 15 powerhouse vocalists and a dynamic six-piece band, the show is set to recreate the captivating harmonies, smooth choreography, and distinctive costuming that made Motown an unforgettable part of our musical heritage.
Audiences will be transported back to the golden age of music with songs from legendary artists like The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and many more. The show promises to be a vibrant tribute to “Hitsville, USA,” capturing not just the sounds but also the spirit of Motown.
Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane presents Magnificent Bird, an album of songs written in self-imposed isolation, a full year off the internet. The album has received critical acclaim and showcases Kahane’s talent for crafting songs that are both thought-provoking and deeply moving. A storyteller who blends indie pop and classical music with poignant lyrics to create narratives of contemporary societal themes, Kahane is also a writer who has been published in The New York Times; an educator for Princeton University; and theater artist whose work has been seen at the Public Theater and Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The enduring love story of John and Abigail Adams began with a whimper rather than a bang in 1762. John Adams accompanied his friend Richard Cranch to the Smith house. Richard was interested in courting Miss Mary Smith.
It just so happened that Mary was the older sister of Abigail Smith. Abigail was 17 and John was 26. She was a minister’s daughter he a country lawyer.John described the visit in his diary as a waste of time.
John would soon change his mind. John and Abigail got to know each other over the next three years and were wed on October 25, 1764, five days before John’s 29th birthday.
They were married for 50 years and had five children. They witnessed revolution, war, and the birth of a new nation.
During their long separations, they wrote thousands of letters to each other. Of those letters written between 1762 and 1801, just over 1,000 survive.It is those letters that are the inspiration behind John & Abigail: An American Love Story.
A collaboration between James & Jennifer Furney, John & Abigail, explores the relationship of our nation’s first Vice-President and second First-Lady. In this play, Jim & Jennifer take us on a journey appearing as Mr. & Mrs. Adams, reading their letters and discussing the nation’s events of the time.Whether you love live theatre, history, or love stories, John & Abigail: An American Love Story is sure to delight your senses.
Apr 27 Saturday
Pears Mill, an 1857 water-powered mill in Buchanan, Michigan’s downtown National Register Historic District, is open 9am to 1 pm each Saturday this summer. The mill is adjacent to the Buchanan Farmers’ Market, which is in operation during the same hours. There is no charge.
Desirae Brown – Deondra Brown – Gregory Brown – Melody Brown – Stephen Beus
What an entertaining afternoon for the family: five incredible pianists on five grand pianos. Most are siblings, and all attended The Juilliard School. The 5 Browns are known for a fun, relaxed introduction to classical music for everyone. The group will play spectacular arrangements of music by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Gerswhin, and more. Dubbed the “Fab Five” by People, Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra, and Desirae have been featured on shows including Oprah, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, National Public Radio’s Performance Today, and in magazines including The New York Times, Parade, Los Angeles Times, and Sunday London Telegraph.