Apr 24 Friday
Joshua Bell, violinShai Wosner, piano
Before the 2026 Gilmore Festival officially kicks off, celebrated violinist Joshua Bell returns to Kalamazoo for a special recital program with pianist Shai Wosner, previously seen on The Gilmore’s Rising Stars Series. The two have performed together to wide acclaim on numerous recital tours in the great concert halls of the United States and Europe. They will treat Gilmore audiences to a program of Romantic and early-20th-century violin sonatas by Schubert, Grieg, and Prokofiev, as well as additional surprise works to be announced from the stage.
The Gilmore presents this recital in honor of the Stulberg International String Competition’s 50th anniversary, of which Bell was gold medalist in 1981.
Pre-concert talk at 6:30 pm with Dr. Zaide Pixley in Room 130
ProgramF. SCHUBERTViolin Sonata No. 4 in A Major D. 574 (“Grand Duo”)E. GRIEGViolin Sonata No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 45S. PROKOFIEVViolin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94
Clay Walker’s Texas to Tennessee, his debut album on Show Dog Nashville, reflects the dual spirit of its title—blending Nashville’s modern polish with Texas’s timeless country roots. A gifted vocalist with more than 30 charted singles and 11 No. 1 hits, Walker first rose to fame in the 1990s with platinum albums and classics like “Live Until I Die,” “Dreaming With My Eyes Open,” and “She Won’t Be Lonely Long.”
Discovered by producer James Stroud in a Beaumont bar, Walker learned early how to balance traditional and contemporary sounds. Texas to Tennessee was recorded in both Galveston and Nashville, featuring songs that highlight Walker’s maturity and vocal strength. Tracks like “Cowboy Loves a Woman” and “Need a Bar Sometimes” bridge old and new country, while “Catching Up with an Ol’ Memory” showcases his vocal ease and emotional depth.
Apr 25 Saturday
Get ready for an extraordinary evening as the Women of Wine, Women & Song return to Kerrytown Concert House for the 24th installment of their adored cabaret series!
This year’s show, Songs in the Keys of Life, will guide you through a musical journey that mirrors the diverse phases of life we all navigate. From bravely challenging the world to “bring it on,” to the quest for love in all the right (and sometimes wrong) places; from the lessons learned from mistakes and the triumphs of success to the revelation of the power of human connection – the Women will explore a full spectrum of human experience. Through laughter, introspection, and even irreverence, Songs in the Keys of Life is set to evoke cherished memories, stir deep emotions, and keep you grinning from ear to ear.
As Kerrytown Concert House’s signature annual fundraising event, Wine, Women & Song is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of community, music, and the shared stories that bind us all. Whether you’re attending for the first time or the 24th, you will leave filled with joy, hope, and a rhythm that will have you tapping your toes long after the final note.
Join us in this unforgettable experience! The incredible women who dedicate their time and talents to this event, along with their vibrant audiences, create a magical atmosphere that truly makes Wine, Women & Song a special occasion.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Babes In Canyon with Celeste Allison and Camp Bedford
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Glow Hall, Kalamazoo
Tickets: $15 advance | $20 day of show
All ages
Schedule
7:00 PM doors
8:00 to 8:30 PM: Camp Bedford
8:45 to 9:15 PM: Celeste Allison
9:30 to 10:30 PM: Babes In Canyon
Babes In Canyon make their Glow Hall debut with a full headlining set. Built around layered synths, grounded songwriting, and an instinct for rhythm and atmosphere, the project moves easily between synth-folk, moody pop, and club-informed beats. What began as a spontaneous writing session during a winter blackout has grown into a focused and cohesive sound, rooted loosely in Americana but shaped by texture, repetition, and momentum. Babes In Canyon are currently touring in support of their debut album The New Loud.
Celeste Allison returns to Glow Hall for her first performance here since launching the Kalamazoo Artist Spotlight series. A self-made, independent artist deeply rooted in Kalamazoo’s music community, Celeste’s work moves between jazz, indie-pop, and soul, carried by songs that balance boldness and vulnerability with warmth and clarity. Her presence on stage has long centered connection and affirmation, making her return a meaningful part of this night.
Opening the show is Camp Bedford, a Midwest-based band touring in support with Babes In Canyon.
Apr 26 Sunday
Apr 29 Wednesday
Every Wednesday at 6pm, UrtbanBeat invites you to showcase your musical talent!
Whether you're experienced or just starting, the stage is open to all.
Not a performer? Enjoy dinner, drinks, and live music from local artists. No cover charge and all ages are welcome. Come early and enjoy the local flavor of Old Town.
Sign ups are first come, first serve.
Doors at 5PM
May 01 Friday
Julian Kuerti, conductor | Kalamazoo Symphony OrchestraJoseph Lattanzi, baritone | Stanislav Khristenko, piano
Alexandre Kantorow, 2024 Gilmore Artist, piano
American pianist Van Cliburn instantly shot to superstardom after winning the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. At this year’s Festival, experience the World Premiere of a new one-act monodrama by American composer Evan Mack and Pulitzer-prize winning librettist Mark Campbell, exploring the impact of Cliburn’s historic win on his own life and on global culture. American Sputnik features baritone Joseph Lattanzi and Cleveland International Piano Competition-winning pianist Stanislav Khristenko dually portraying the role of Cliburn, joined by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra under Music Director Julian Kuerti. After intermission, 2024 Gilmore Artist Alexandre Kantorow — who followed in Cliburn’s footsteps as a winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition — joins the KSO to perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2, one of the concertos that helped Kantorow earn his victory at the competition.
More from Alexandre Kantorow:Alexandre Kantorow, Solo Piano | May 2, 2026 at 8 pm | LEARN MORE
ProgramEVAN MACK /libst. MARK CAMPBELLAmerican SputnikWorld Premiere, commissioned by The Gilmore & Kalamazoo Symphony OrchestraP. TCHAIKOVSKYPiano Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 44
Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show, was formed in Los Angeles the summer of 2012. Since then, they have traveled all over North America and meticulously crafted a show that spares no detail. Recreating the legendary persona of Fleetwood Mac, Rumours embodies the band members in all of their youthful glory from 1975 through 1987 – whether it’s their period-accurate equipment and costumes or their spot-on characterizations and musical performances. Rumours will take you back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience and bands weren't afraid to put on a show. Relive rock and roll magic with Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show.
May 02 Saturday
A feast for the senses, Right in the Eye combines 12 short silent films by pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès — bursting with jaw-dropping special effects — with musical virtuosity, lighting design, and more. Three musicians perform on over 50 different instruments, including rare and unique ones, live onstage alongside the films, in a one-of-a-kind production ideal for children ages five and up.
Right in the Eye is an Alcoléa & cie production.
The Midland Symphony Orchestra celebrates the sounds of home with a program honoring Michigan-based composers. The evening highlights MSO's Principal Trombonist Denis Jiron in the world premiere of Carolina Calvache’s newly commissioned Trombone Concerto, showcasing her distinctive and expressive voice. The program closes with Dvořák's New World Symphony, an innovative and powerful symphonic tribute to the American spirit.