Community Calendar

You are invited to a Praise and Harmony SongFest event with Keith Lancaster. The Westside Church of Christ is hosting this public acapella singing event Saturday October 25th at 1 PM.
Keith is a strong and well known advocate and teacher of singing in our churches, aiming to equip congregations for excellence in worship by training leaders and inviting all of God's people to sing as found in scripture.
You can visit his web site at https://www.praiseandharmony.com/ or facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Musicianary, or listen to Praise and Harmony at YouTube.
The SongFest will last about 2 hours. Water and snacks will be provided. This will be an uplifting time of praise. Parents should decide on the best provision for their younger children.
We ask that you RSVP by email or telephone with an estimate of the number of individuals who would likely attend from your congregation. The seating capacity is approximately 150 with first come, first serve. Please also spread the word about this event.

Nobuntu is an all-female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe that has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances ranging from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements.

In the last few seasons, the quintet has performed at festivals and concert halls in Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic and throughout the African continent. Their first tour to Canada in 2016 included performances in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria.

In this unique expression of many years of friendship and collaboration, GRAMMY® Award-winning musician and storyteller Robert Mirabal – elder of the Taos Pueblo – and GRAMMY® Award-winning, genre-defying string quartet ETHEL come together gratefully to reimagine the concert experience.

Their art is a vigorous blend of joy, compassion and vital virtuosity. Building on their previous programs Music of the Sun, The River and Song for Taos, they offer a ceremony full of original music, movement and wisdom. The Red Willow is a new program built around a work commissioned by Taos Chamber Music Society in the summer of 2023.

With their signature mastery, ETHEL and Mirabal weave a gorgeous tapestry with colors from Native America, Europe, Africa and Asia. At the pinnacle of the program is the central work – The Red Willow Suite – a breathtaking, ambitious piece of music and storytelling, not to be missed. The audience will feel the urge to dance and celebrate, as the space around their hearts grows and deepens.

Inspired by her family’s Sephardic roots in Greece and Macedonia, Sarah Aroeste has spent the last 15 years bringing her contemporary style of original and traditional Ladino music to audiences around the world.

Sarah writes and sings in Ladino, the Judeo-Spanish dialect originated from Spanish Jews after their expulsion from Spain in 1492. American born, she has worked tirelessly to keep Ladino music alive for a new generation. Her style, whether with her original music or with interpreting Ladino folk repertoire, combines traditional Mediterranean Sephardic sounds with contemporary influences such as rock, pop, electronica and jazz.

In the last decade, Sarah has amassed a large and loyal following across the United States and abroad, and she has been featured in both national and international press.

Djangophonique is an award-winning project that delivers the infectious joy and expressive freedom that is at the heart of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well.

The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music and alluring to the uninitiated – a sound that can bring the lively energy of a Parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with the aching nostalgia of a shimmering ballad.

Opening for the ensemble will be Kalamazoo’s own The Birdseed Salesmen – it will be a wonderful, fun night of gypsy jazz!

“Jingle Jigs, Reels a Treat.”
Ken Longworth—The Newcastle Herald

Direct from its Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation, presents its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas. Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.

Experience the magic of A Celtic Christmas, where world-class performers—including former World Irish dance champions and stars from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance—come together for a holiday spectacular like no other. This unforgettable performance blends melodic folk mash-ups, acapella tap battles, and heartwarming storytelling with Irish wit, traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads, and all your favorite carols. Bursting with electrifying rhythms and extraordinary talent, it's an evening of Irish charm and enthralling entertainment you won’t want to miss.

Immerse yourself in a traditional Celtic landscape and let the magic of an Irish Christmas transport you to a world filled with excitement and wonder, where vibrant music and dance embody the heartbeat of the festive season.

Miki Yamanaka, piano
Tyrone Allen, acoustic bass
Jimmy Macbride, drums

Discover the enchanting world of Miki Yamanaka, Japanese‑born pianist lighting up New York since 2012. Through her residencies at mainstay NYC jazz clubs Smalls and Mezzrow, as well as her weekly livestreaming concert series “Miki’s Mood” during the pandemic, audiences have come to love Yamanaka’s light, expressive playing and bold rhythmic invention, not to mention her infectious personality. In addition to touring as a leader, she also plays with the Mingus Big Band and the Harish Raghavan Quintet. Expect an evening of vibrant energy as she presents her celebrated repertoire — including selections from her latest album, Chance, and fan favorites from 2021’s Stairway to the Stars — alongside imaginative re‑interpretations of Great American Songbook and jazz standards. Joining Yamanaka at The Gilmore is her NYC rhythm section: bassist Tyrone Allen and drummer Jimmy Macbride. A modern ambassador for jazz who bridges tradition and innovation, Ms. Yamanaka’s charm and cultural flair shine as she performs in her signature kimono, making her sets as visually captivating as they are musically rich.

More with Miki Yamanaka:
Dec. 6 at 8 PM Miki Yamanaka Trio

While the Carpenters are known for over a dozen chart-topping hits and memorable songs of the 70s, they also won over fans with their Christmas celebrations. Singer and playwright Lisa Rock and her six-piece band are dedicated to re-creating the true sound and unforgettable Christmas songs of the Carpenters in a holiday concert, A Carpenters' Christmas. Based on the music from the Carpenters' two holiday albums and Christmas variety shows, A Carpenters' Christmas will feature “Merry Christmas Darling” and the jazzy “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town." It's a holiday concert that is sure to spread joy and cheer during the holiday season!

Miki Yamanaka, piano
Tyrone Allen, acoustic bass
Jimmy Macbride, drums

Discover the enchanting world of Miki Yamanaka, Japanese‑born pianist lighting up New York since 2012. Through her residencies at mainstay NYC jazz clubs Smalls and Mezzrow, as well as her weekly livestreaming concert series “Miki’s Mood” during the pandemic, audiences have come to love Yamanaka’s light, expressive playing and bold rhythmic invention, not to mention her infectious personality. In addition to touring as a leader, she also plays with the Mingus Big Band and the Harish Raghavan Quintet. Expect an evening of vibrant energy as she presents her celebrated repertoire — including selections from her latest album, Chance, and fan favorites from 2021’s Stairway to the Stars — alongside imaginative re‑interpretations of Great American Songbook and jazz standards. Joining Yamanaka at The Gilmore is her NYC rhythm section: bassist Tyrone Allen and drummer Jimmy Macbride. A modern ambassador for jazz who bridges tradition and innovation, Ms. Yamanaka’s charm and cultural flair shine as she performs in her signature kimono, making her sets as visually captivating as they are musically rich.

More with Miki Yamanaka:
Dec. 6 at 5 PM Miki Yamanaka Trio

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE dazzles with a brilliantly breathtaking holiday spectacular for the whole family. As the original cirque holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around awe-inspiring contemporary circus arts. Guests will be on the edge of their seats as a cast of holiday characters come to life, captivating audiences while defying gravity. Reimagined for 2025, CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE features original music, fresh twists on beloved holiday favorites sung live, new sets, dazzling scenery, and stunning costumes—making it the ultimate holiday gift!