Apr 30 Tuesday
South African jazz pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini blends traditional jazz and innovative storytelling. He heads the music department at Fort Hare University, and has performed at festivals including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Essence Festival (New Orleans and South Africa), and in 2019 made his debut appearances at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he was a featured guest with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
May 01 Wednesday
The newest members of the Gilmore Young Artists family come together in one of the loveliest venues in town. Ms. Shao will play Bach’s Partita 5, and Liszt’s Faust Waltz, and Ms. Zhu will play Chopin’s F Minor Fantasie and Kapustin’s Variations Op. 41. Together, the two will perform a world premiere and Gilmore commission of a work by Christopher Cerrone, two movements from Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite, and Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances for piano four hands.
May 02 Thursday
In a special Festival event, British pianist Paul Lewis will present a survey of Franz Schubert’s monumental contribution to the classical repertoire: his piano sonatas. Mr. Lewis has received critical and public acclaim worldwide, consolidating his reputation as one of the world’s foremost interpreters of the central European classical repertoire. He regularly works as a soloist with the world’s great orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, and the Royal Concertgebouw, and Cleveland Orchestras, among many others.
Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. Bluey’s Big Play is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co. Bluey's Big Play run time is approximately 50 minutes.There is no intermission.
Four-time GrammyⓇ-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton’s innovative approach to jazz has charmed audiences and critics across the globe. Son of bass player and composer John Clayton, Gerald’s training began young, and he honors the legacy of his father and all his musical ancestors through a commitment to artistic exploration, innovation, and reinvention. Clayton studied with piano icon Billy Childs and fellow Festival performer Kenny Barron. He has performed and recorded with artists including Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dayna Stephens, Kendrick Scott, John Scofield, and Avishai Cohen.
Andrea Beaton, Troy MacGillivray, and Tracey MacNeil hail from the isolated beauty of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Their joyful style of dance music is defined by its improvised folk piano tradition. Expect instrument-switching, solo dancing, and inspiring harmonies, as they explore the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton, along with original compositions. Their performances offer a shared sense of fun and years of making music together.
Join us at a venue akin to the village halls where the musicians grew up. The evening will be introduced by radio hosts Dave Marlatt and Cara Lieurance of The Pure Drop on WMUK 102.1, celebrating its 20th anniversary of featuring music “from Ireland and beyond.”
May 03 Friday
Announcing the return of the ultimate glass blowing competition! Glass blowers from all over the region will descend upon Kalamazoo for two days of head-to-head battle in the hot shop and flame shop. Witness the thrilling action as they clash to capture the victory belt in a series of artistic competitions. Cheer on your favorite performances and cast your vote to help decide who receives cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights!
This year’s Glass Blowers Battle competition will begin on Friday May 3 with the collaborative Bronson Children’s Hospital “Sculpture Throwdown” in the Hot Shop as well as the “Flourishing Functional Art” event in the Flame Working studio. On Saturday May 4, the competition in the Hot Shop will feature the “Centerpiece Showoff”, along with individual Marble and Pendant making competitions in the Flame Working studio.
Friday May 3 (2pm-11pm)Saturday May 4 (11am-6pm)
Glass Blowers Battle is THE event of the year at Glass Art Kalamazoo, and is free and fun for all ages! More information including a full schedule of events at https://glassartkalamazoo.org/glass-blowers-battle-2024/
Part of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo’s first-Friday Art Hop throughout downtown Kalamazoo. This event will be outdoors, with concessions available.
Patio & Bar: 5:30 PM | Live Music: 6:00 PM
State on the Street is back for select Fridays this Summer! Join us outside the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre for State on the Street featuring A Cape Breton Trio on Friday, May 3!
We’ll have free live music outside our iconic Theatre, patio seating, drink specials, merchandise available for purchase, and more! All of the events will be held on Fridays, with our patio and bar opening at 5:30PM and live music starting at 6PM.
About A Cape Breton Trio:
Andrea Beaton, Troy MacGillivray, and Tracey MacNeil hail from the isolated beauty of Nova Scotia, Canada. Their joyful style of dance music is defined by its improvised folk piano tradition. Expect instrument-switching, solo dancing, and inspiring harmonies, as they explore the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton, and original compositions. Their visit is presented in collaboration with Bell’s Eccentric Café, Education for the Arts, the Kalamazoo State Theatre and WMUK 102.1FM