Museums are colonial institutions that traditionally prioritized academic knowledge and devalued traditional knowledge and lived experience. They have historically marginalized communities by hoarding their cultural objects while holding themselves up as the arbiters of cultural greatness. Current calls to action to address internal structures of racism in museums have inspired an uptick in hiring BIPOC […]

Known for her curation of thought-provoking traveling exhibitions, Reni Gower will take us behind the scenes and show us how she brings exhibitions to life. Gower is a visual artist, curator, and educator, whose award-winning work in painting and multimedia has been represented in many prestigious collections both nationally and internationally. Supported by the Visiting […]

The Best We Could Do By Thi Bui Discussion Leader: TBA From the publisher: The Best We Could Do is a 2017 illustrated memoir written by Thi Bui. It chronicles Thi Bui’s parents’ life before and during the Vietnam War, their escape from Vietnam when Bui was a child, and their eventual migration to the […]

Join us for an insightful evening discussion with Chief Curator Rehema Barber and three exceptional professors from Western Michigan University, Dr. Mariam Konaté, Professor Monique Haley, and Dr. Jennifer Richardson. A Woman’s Voice: Then and Now? will discuss the roles of women within the African diaspora as it relates to each participant’s individual discipline and […]

Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in THE REVOLUTIONISTS by Lauren Gunderson, running March 18th thru April 3rd.   In this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try […]

Drink Their Blood started in Kalamazoo with an intention on blurring genres and pushing musical boundaries. As self described 'beastcore', they incorporate heavy music with an occasional jazz interlude incorporating saxophone Together, the group has played venues across Michigan and will continue push the envelope sonically. Catch them in the Back Room with Lokella and Lucius Fox […]

Join us for this fun activity and learn the Japanese are of pot-less plants, known as Kokedama! All workshop participants will make three kokedama during the workshop and you receive a 10% discount on store items purchased during the workshop.

Oberon Day is BACK! Join us at the Eccentric Cafe & General Store for a day filled with fresh beer, delicious food, awesome entertainment and pure good vibes. Grab your favorite Hawaiian/beach shirt & get ready to celebrate with us. A couple things to note: Doors open at 11am to those 21+ Clear Health App/vaccination card or […]

For generations, Disney’s Princesses have enchanted us with their courage and kindness. Their music has been the soundtrack to our lives. Now, for the first time in forever, that beloved music will be celebrated in Disney Princess – The Concert at the Kalamazoo State Theatre Friday, March 25, 2022! “Be our guest” as a quartet of Broadway, Disney Channel, […]

Mustard Plug started out in the punk clubs, basements and dive bars of the Midwest, playing punk-influenced ska music before most people in the U.S. had ever heard of ska. They clung to a DIY work ethic that had been ingrained in them growing up in the 1980′s hardcore punk scene and applied it to […]