Community Calendar

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was one of the most influential works of the American Revolution. The first edition was published on January 10, 1776, with an initial print run of just 1,000 copies; but within weeks demand soared. The students of Andy Murphy’s POLISCI 495 course co-curated the exhibition “Revolutionary Paine” to document the whirlwind caused by its publication. On view at the Clements January 16-May 8, weekdays from 12-4 pm.

The evening will begin with a celebratory dinner honoring Larry J. Bell at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, followed by a rare and captivating solo performance by 2026 Larry J. Bell Artist Award Recipient Sullivan Fortner. Fresh off receiving the inaugural Bell Artist Award, Fortner revisits the spirit of his Grammy-nominated album Solo Game — a kaleidoscopic journey across acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ, and other keyboards. Blending jazz, gospel, and modern improvisation, Fortner moves fluidly between soulful lyricism and bold harmonic exploration, revealing why he’s regarded as one of today’s most imaginative and expressive voices in jazz.

For International Jazz Day (April 30th), 2026, multi-instrumentalist Vincent York and the Jazzistry Band will present an event illustrating the international roots of jazz, conceived in the USA, but now beloved and performed worldwide. Vincent and company will present an all-ages concert tracing the multicultural origins of jazz and modern music, from the rhythms of enslaved Africans tempered with European melodies. Savor stories, rare photos, demonstrations, explanations of different rhythms, instruments, and eras of jazz. Vincent and the band trace the evolution of jazz from field hollers and work songs to marches, spirituals, gospel, the blues, ragtime, early jazz, swing, bebop, soul jazz, hardbop, cool jazz, contemporary jazz, and hip-hop. This International Jazz Day concert will be an extended version of the program Vincent and the band present at area schools and community centers. Jazzistry, which combines Jazz + History + Artistry, makes learning about a worldwide phenomenon fun!

Read more about Jazzistry at vincentyorkjazzistry.org.

Vincent York – saxophones, clarinet, flute, piccolo, oboe, and narrator
John Douglas – trumpet
Ron English – guitar, mandolin, and banjo
Taslimah Bey – piano
Josef Deas – bass
Jesse Kramer – drums and percussion

It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence … if only the founding fathers agree to it! This musical follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince members of Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence. With humor and a stirring score, the Tony® Award-winning musical presents the frustrations and triumphs of our founding fathers. Presented in partnership with the Midland County Historical Society, and in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States. 1776 brings a fresh look at the people, and the compromises that defined a revolution.

Directed by Susie Polito
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards / Book by Peter Stone

A charming and witty comedy about the relationship of Hollywood legends, Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. Tipping Point Theatre presents the Michigan Premiere of "Gene & Gilda" by Cary Gitter.

It’s Hollywood in the late 1980’s and Gene Wilder is giving his first interview after the death of his beloved Gilda Radner. Although he states any discussion of Gilda is off limits, Gilda has other ideas and crashes the interview. The famous couple come to vivid life as we follow them from their first meeting through their personal and professional ups and downs, all the way to their poignant farewell. We celebrate an intimate portrait of two comic legends in love, and the lives they led beyond the laughter.

Runtime: ~90 minutes, no intermission

Showtimes are Wednesday - Sunday starting April 8 through May 3, 2026

Landmark: Less Cancer Hike and Bike America 2026
Walk, ride and roam anywhere/anytime. Enter your photos of local landmarks and favorite adventure places to win prizes!
June 6th – July 6th
The annual event serves as our primary fundraiser, helping fuel our critical cancer prevention initiatives.
Register for FREE today at: https://www.lesscancer.org/

This exhibition honors the commitment of our members from SE Michigan and beyond, whose support plays a vital role in bringing our mission to life. We welcome the public to discover the unique artistic voices and styles of over 100 member artists.

Peter Rosen walks in the footsteps of American pianist Harvey Lavan “Van” Cliburn, who—at the height of the Cold War—took first prize at the inaugural edition of the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958. The 23-year-old came home to a hero’s welcome, complete with a ticker-tape parade in New York City, and embarked on an internationally renowned concert and recording career that would span decades.

The film is an archival treasure trove, including personal material provided by the Cliburn family and rarely seen performance footage. Documentarian Peter Rosen met with family and associates of the pianist, including Cliburn’s mother Rildia Bee O’Bryan Cliburn, actress Arlene Dahl, pianist Gary Graffman—a fellow first-prize winner of the prestigious, now-defunct Leventritt Competition—and announcer Martin Bookspan, who speaks about Cliburn’s stratospheric popularity in the U.S. after his victory in Moscow.

Films are free to the public, but seating is limited. Tickets will be available at the front desk of the museum starting at 10 am on the day of each screening, or pre-register the day of screening at kalamazoomuseum.org.

Join us on May 1, 2026, as Fresh Start Clubhouse celebrates 26 years of changing lives through community, purpose, and possibility. This special Giving Day event honors the impact of engaging in meaningful activities, fostering social connections, and building on strengths to support recovery and well-being.

Fresh Start Clubhouse provides a collaborative and restorative environment where members develop problem-solving, vocational, and life skills through shared work and mutual support. Giving Day is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements, learn more about our mission, connect with the community, and support a model that empowers individuals through dignity, belonging, and meaningful participation.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to Fresh Start, we invite you to celebrate, give back, and be part of a community that believes recovery happens best together.

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was one of the most influential works of the American Revolution. The first edition was published on January 10, 1776, with an initial print run of just 1,000 copies; but within weeks demand soared. The students of Andy Murphy’s POLISCI 495 course co-curated the exhibition “Revolutionary Paine” to document the whirlwind caused by its publication. On view at the Clements January 16-May 8, weekdays from 12-4 pm.