May 10 Friday
Venezuelan jazz pianist, composer, and Steinway Artist Benito Gonzalez combines a lineage of American jazz tradition with rhythms from around the world. Nominated for two GrammyⓇ Awards and winner of the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition, his sound is recognizable for the powerful rhythm and Afro-Latin patterns he prioritizes across his projects. The New York-based artist grew up playing traditional folk music with his family before being inspired by pianists Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett, whose quartet he later joined. He played with saxophonist Azar Lawrence’s band and joined saxophone legend Pharoah Sanders as his pianist/musical director in 2019.
Paul Cornish, pianoEmma Dayhuff, bass – Jonathan Pinson, drums
Winner of the 2018 American Jazz Piano Competition, Composer-pianist Paul Cornish’s style is a blend of contemporary and jazz with experimental elements. Pianist for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance, he has performed and worked with artists including Herbie Hancock and John Legend, and on stages throughout the world. An accomplished composer and educator, he is on faculty at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, and strives to inspire freedom and collaboration in his music and community.
Kirill Gerstein brings his signature style to a varied program that includes the U.S. premiere of Matthew Aucoin’s The tracks have vanished, commissioned for him by The Gilmore. The GrammyⓇ-nominated pianist blends the traditions of Russian, American, and Central European schooling combined with a strong background in jazz. To his broad repertoire, both new and old, he brings an unwavering clarity of expression, discerning intelligence, virtuosity, and energy.
1 pm Concert preview with composer Matthew Aucoin, Olmsted Room
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a musical written for television but later played on stage with music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based upon the fairy tale Cinderella, particularly the French version Cendrillon, ou la petite pantoufle de verre (Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper) by Charles Perrault. The story concerns a young woman forced into a life of servitude by her cruel stepmother and self-centered stepsisters, who dreams of a better life. With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella is transformed into a princess and finds her prince.There will be photo opportunities throughout the night as well as crowns and tiaras that can be purchased to help bring this classic to life.
The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre presents “Catch Me If You Can” in the Civic Auditorium, May 3-19, 2024.
Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, Catch Me If You Can is a high-flying musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught. Nominated for four Tony awards, including Best Musical.
Seeking fame and fortune, precocious teenager, Frank Abagnale, Jr., runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. When Frank's lies catch the attention of FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, though, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes.
Catch Me If You Can is a big and bright spectacle with high-energy dance numbers and a riveting story.
Catch Me If You CanMay 3 - May 19, 2024Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PMKalamazoo Civic Auditorium Tickets: https://kazoocivic.ludus.com/200435296 | 269-343-1313
Based on the DreamWorks Motion PictureBook by Terrence McNallyLyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc ShaimanCATCH ME IF YOU CAN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Pink Martini and China Forbes return with their vibrant, varied repertoire of jazz, classical, latin, music, and pop marked by extraordinary vocal talent and top-flight musicians. Pink Martini has performed with more than 50 orchestras, and in sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, the opening party of the remodeled Museum of Modern Art, the Governor’s Ball at the 80th Annual Academy Awards, and more. Pink Martini albums have sold more than 3 million copies worldwide.
The enduring love story of John and Abigail Adams began with a whimper rather than a bang in 1762. John Adams accompanied his friend Richard Cranch to the Smith house. Richard was interested in courting Miss Mary Smith.
It just so happened that Mary was the older sister of Abigail Smith. Abigail was 17 and John was 26. She was a minister’s daughter he a country lawyer.John described the visit in his diary as a waste of time.
John would soon change his mind. John and Abigail got to know each other over the next three years and were wed on October 25, 1764, five days before John’s 29th birthday.
They were married for 50 years and had five children. They witnessed revolution, war, and the birth of a new nation.
During their long separations, they wrote thousands of letters to each other. Of those letters written between 1762 and 1801, just over 1,000 survive.It is those letters that are the inspiration behind John & Abigail: An American Love Story.
A collaboration between James & Jennifer Furney, John & Abigail, explores the relationship of our nation’s first Vice-President and second First-Lady. In this play, Jim & Jennifer take us on a journey appearing as Mr. & Mrs. Adams, reading their letters and discussing the nation’s events of the time.Whether you love live theatre, history, or love stories, John & Abigail: An American Love Story is sure to delight your senses.
May 11 Saturday
Pears Mill, an 1857 water-powered mill in Buchanan, Michigan’s downtown National Register Historic District, is open 9am to 1 pm each Saturday this summer. The mill is adjacent to the Buchanan Farmers’ Market, which is in operation during the same hours. There is no charge.
Saugatuck steel sculptor Cynthia McKean's garden and studio are the setting for a Mother's Day Weekend Open House featuring woodsculptor Marcia Perry, painter Lena Aukema and paper artist, Donnie Seibel. Visitors will stroll through lush gardens in full bloom,enjoy light refreshments and be immersed in art and nature and good conversation. Four artists will share their stories and artwork. Open 11-4:30pm Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12. A golf cart shuttle will be available for convenient transport. This is a free event welcoming all art and garden appreciators
Sangria – the official drink of summer! Gather the crew and dust off those lawn chairs because you are invited to the ultimate kickoff to summer at our annual Sangria Party!
Sangria Station Experience | $25Special Sangria Souvenir GrowlerJammin' in the Vineyard Live Music