Community Calendar

Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen | Music by Henry Krieger
Original Broadway Production Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett

Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler

A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th century American pop music, Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry.

“Dreamgirls is a show about a time in American musical history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music creating a new American sound. Act One is set in the fabulous sixties – a time when we were still screaming at Elvis and listening to the Beatles, but were dancing to the new beat of countless girl and boy groups like The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Shirelles. Dreamgirls is not just about the singing and the dancing and the performing. The play is also about the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry – the business part of show business that made possible this cultural phenomenon. Act Two shows the creation and the arrival of disco – though the word is never used in the script. The subject matter of this play deals with a musical contribution to America of such importance that only now – decades later – are we beginning to understand.” – Michael Bennett

"Dreamgirls is a musical full of sparkle... a tale of transformation: from naive hopefuls into jaded superstars, from raw R&B into the disco era, from success to failure, and then back again." – Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian

Watch a special preview version of the documentary Free for All: The Public Library. Share your own library stories during the post-film discussion. This event is part of the Parchment Community Library National Library Week celebration. RSVPs are requested but not required.

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers is proud to be in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for a unique offering of music and movement titled Sound in Motion. Sound in Motion will include new choreographic works by Marisa Bianan, the recently appointed Artistic Director, along with a selection from the Wellspring repertoire choreographed by founder Cori Terry. The program will feature exhilarating choreography to Philip Glass, Lou Harrison, and Paul Hindemith compositions, as well as music from Stephan Koncz and Maurice Ravel. Sound in Motion will take place on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. in the Dalton Recital Hall, located on the WMU campus at 1300 Theatre Drive.

During this special offsite ArtBreak event, Wellspring warmly invites you to the Cori Terry Theatre for an exclusive glimpse into their preparations for this collaboration. Join us for an intimate open rehearsal with the dancers, followed by a ten-minute Q&A session with both the dancers and the Wellspring/KSO administrative teams.

The Cori Terry Theatre, formerly known as the Wellspring Theatre, is located on the second floor of the Epic Center at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall. Free 90-minute parking is available in the Epic Center ramp, and street parking is also available nearby.

Hosted by Heart for Home & the Kalamazoo DHHS.

Join us to learn more about becoming a licensed respite and/or foster home.

You will have the chance to speak with a representative from both agencies to have your questions answered.

This is a drop in event. Stay for as long or as little time as you want.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Enjoy free admission and extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and the Efroymson Family Fund.

As part of our community collaboration around the Sourced from the ‘Zoo exhibition, the KIA is hosting several Thursday evening events around selected exhibition themes. On April 10, join us for a free book swap in celebration of the themes of literature and sustainability!

Bring your gently-used books to the KIA for this special swap event. Connect with other book lovers in the Kalamazoo community, browse the selection of books brought in by other participants, and take home some new-to-you books to love. Bookworms will partake in an evening of music, conversation, and light refreshments.

Many people view mental health conditions as separate from disability. However, examining mental health through the lens of disability can provide valuable insights. In this workshop, we will:
- Learn about mental health from a disability perspective
- Explore how ableism impacts people with mental health disabilities
- Examine how current mental health practices can oppress people
- Discuss ways to develop inclusive and empowering practices for supporting mental health

Presented by the Disability Network of Southwest Michigan.

This programming series is made possible through the Libraries Transforming Communities grant from the American Library Association.

Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen | Music by Henry Krieger
Original Broadway Production Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett

Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler

A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th century American pop music, Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry.

“Dreamgirls is a show about a time in American musical history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music creating a new American sound. Act One is set in the fabulous sixties – a time when we were still screaming at Elvis and listening to the Beatles, but were dancing to the new beat of countless girl and boy groups like The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Shirelles. Dreamgirls is not just about the singing and the dancing and the performing. The play is also about the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry – the business part of show business that made possible this cultural phenomenon. Act Two shows the creation and the arrival of disco – though the word is never used in the script. The subject matter of this play deals with a musical contribution to America of such importance that only now – decades later – are we beginning to understand.” – Michael Bennett

"Dreamgirls is a musical full of sparkle... a tale of transformation: from naive hopefuls into jaded superstars, from raw R&B into the disco era, from success to failure, and then back again." – Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian

Gospel Echoes Team Prison Ministry, 37th Annual Benefit Auction, Friday, April 11, Saturday, April 12, 2025, Elkhart County Fairgrounds, 17746D County Rd. 34 - Goshen, IN 46528. Public Welcome - Bring the Whole Family. There is an Open House Friday evening, April 11, with a haystack supper being served from 4:30 – 7:30. A Gospel Echoes Teams Concert at 6:00 P.M. followed by a mini auction featuring specialty items 7:30 PM. Saturday, April 12, 7:00 AM, kicks off the day with an all-you-can-eat breakfast including biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sausage, and fried mush. Delicious foods available all day. The auction begins at 9:00 A.M. The auction features beautiful handmade quilts, solid oak furniture, 5-pc and 4-pc Bedroom Suites, tables, specialty items, in-home meals, tools, crafts, hand tools Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, collector toys, swing set, 32’ x 48’ x 14’ Post Frame Building built on your site, Grills, 8x12 Garden Shed, 7 x 16 2-3500 lb axles Aluminum Utility Trailer, 17’ Forest River RV Trailer, NXTGEN Hunting Blind, outdoor furniture and more! Over 300 items and many more coming in! Also Bookstore, Bake sale, and Variety Corner open both days. Rib Dinner Tickets, Blue Gill Dinner Tickets, Honeyville Dinner Tickets. Also on-grounds Ribs, Bacon-on a-stick, Burgers, Brats, Grilled Chicken, Pretzels, Donuts, Homemade Bread, Pies, Baked items and more. Go to Facebook for latest updates. Download brochures and view a current sale bill on the web at: www.gospelechoes.com or call 574-533-0221.

Gospel Echoes Team provides Bible Study Correspondence Courses, Scripture Address Booklets, Ministry Teams, Freedom Rallies, and other special events to prisons throughout North America. A network of over 700 graders provides ministry through correspondence lessons. Gospel Echoes started in 1969 and provides ministry outreach to over 700 prisons. Call for details 574-238-0485