Community Calendar

You’re invited to the Michigan League for Public Policy’s 2026 Public Policy Forum, which will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 10 a.m.-noon in Lansing, Michigan.

The League’s annual forum explores bold policies that will create an economy rooted in racial equity. Time is of the essence when it comes to building economic justice in Michigan; we must seize this opportunity to invest in what will create a stronger Michigan.

The theme of this year's policy forum is 250 Years and Counting: Working to fulfill the promise of democracy in America and we are proud to announce that our 2026 keynote speaker will be Natalie Foster, co-founder of the Economic Security Project. An unstoppable builder, Natalie previously founded the sharing economy community Peers, co-founded Rebuild the Dream with Van Jones and served as Digital Director for President Obama's Organizing for America - a leading partner in winning transformative health care reform. She is the author of The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy, which explores what is possible when we guarantee economic rights and prosperity for all. A daughter of a preacher from Kansas, Natalie draws on the values of community, dignity and optimism to build a better America.

Following the keynote address, a panel of experts will discuss strategies for building economic justice in Michigan, particularly as it relates to housing, health care and financial security.

The League’s Public Policy Forum brings together hundreds of individuals who care deeply about building a stronger Michigan for all people–from policymakers to legislators, advocates, educators, members of foundations and community organizations, and other community members and stakeholders.

Admission for this year’s event is $25 and registration is required. You can find more details and register here: https://itl.ink/mlppforum. Space is limited, so don’t delay in reserving your spot at this special event, where you can be a part of a vitally important conversation about creating a bold path forward for economic justice in Michigan.

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.

Oscar Peterson: Black + White is a ground-breaking “docu-concert” that deeply explores the life and legacy of jazz icon and composer, Oscar Peterson: his sound, stardom, and cult of virtuoso. Oscar Peterson is the one jazz figure who had, and still has, the larger-than-life quality of jazz royalty. Other jazz artists from Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole to Duke Ellington and John Coltrane became legends but Oscar, like Picasso or Mozart, had an undeniable style rooted not just in his genius but in his relentless performances and personality. The documentary delves into the seven-decade career of the musical genius: from his days as a child prodigy to the development of his signature sound on recordings with his trio, from his collaborations with huge stars to his shifts to brilliant solo performances around the world — as well as his tenacious experiences confronting racism and segregation while touring in the United States which culminated in his epic composition of Hymn to Freedom.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.