Community Calendar

Pine Needle Weaving Workshop
Saturday, March 28, 10 am – 1 pm
Audience: Adults
Meet: Classroom

Dip your toes into an age old skillset and learn how to weave traditional forms out of pine needles. Join Lea Sevigny of Joyful Wildcrafting for an in-depth and hands-on learning experience. Participants will learn the fundamentals of pine needle basket weaving, and walk away with a woven coaster of their own design!

Fee: Members $28, Non-Members $35 Please register.

From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia is an exploration of one of the most enduring and influential colors in global art history. Spanning centuries of Chinese and Japanese creativity, the exhibition traces how the color blue—once among the rarest and most prized pigments—shaped artistic innovation, cultural exchange, and aesthetic identity across East Asia.

From the luminous depths of cobalt-painted porcelain to the brilliance of carved lapis lazuli and the bold Prussian blue of Japanese ukiyo-e prints, this exhibition brings together works that illuminate the remarkable journey of blue across materials and artistic traditions. From Cobalt to Indigo will explore symbolism, craftsmanship, technological advancements, and cross-cultural influences. It showcases blue as both a material and an evolving metaphor. This exhibition invites audiences to see a familiar color anew and to experience the profound beauty and cultural resonance of blue in East Asian art.

The exhibition will be on view through July 12.

Image Credit: Matsutani Fumio, Sō (Blue) D-3, 2020, stoneware. Joy Light East Asian Art Acquisition and Exhibition Fund, 2021.1.

Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo (IGK) invites the community to join a No Kings! rally Saturday, March 28, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM along North Drake Road (between KL Avenue and West Main Street). The action is part of a third national day of peaceful protest expected to draw millions into the streets to say that in America we have no kings; power belongs to the people.

Participants of any political orientation are welcome. Those attending are encouraged to bring signs and flags, remain on sidewalks, and avoid obstructing traffic. The family-friendly event will also feature a community food drive to help strengthen our local community (bringing an item from the list below to donate to local food banks is encouraged but not required). Peacekeepers will be present to support Indivisible’s commitment to non-violence.

Science Speaks: Bats with Dr. Vonhof

Saturday, March 28, 2-3 pm

Audience: All Ages
Meet: Cooper’s Glen Auditorium

Although we may not see them often, bats are the 2nd most common group of mammals in the world! Learn more about our furry flying neighbors with local expert Dr. Vonhof, and hear about some of the incredible conservation efforts being done by scientists in the field.

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission

Beginner’s Guide to Owls
Saturday, March 28, 3-4 pm

Audience: All Ages

Meet: Meet at the visitor center front desk

Join Landon, a Heronwood student and owl aficionado, for a glimpse into the world of some of KNC’s most striking inhabitants. We’ll hike in search of these nocturnal hunters, but birds of all feathers are on the table for discussion!

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free! Please register.

From the aftermath of war, a vibrant estate in Messina becomes the stage for both blossoming romance and bitter deception. Soon after coming to visit her father, the honorable Claudio swiftly falls in love with the radiant Hero. But amidst this joy, a fiery battle of wits rages between the fiercely independent Beatrice and the confirmed bachelor Benedick, two souls who swear off love with every sharp and hilarious retort. Yet, beneath their barbed exchanges, could a hidden affection be ignited by the playful meddling of their friends? As they scheme to unite these reluctant hearts, a darker plot unfolds. The vengeful Don John, fueled by malice, orchestrates a cruel lie that threatens to shatter the very foundations of Claudio and Hero's happiness.

On the eve of their wedding, a devastating illusion is planted, leading to a shocking public accusation and leaving Hero seemingly ruined. In the face of such betrayal, alliances shift, and the witty Beatrice makes a startling demand of Benedick. Will truth prevail against calculated deceit? Can love truly conquer all, even when shadowed by the darkest intentions? Prepare to be captivated by a story where laughter and heartbreak intertwine, and where the most unexpected heroes might just save the day.

Part beauty pageant. Part pirate brawl. This fundraiser for our non-profit theatre is sure to be entirely unforgettable.
Before the curtain ever rises, our most unruly, over-the-top, and questionably well-behaved pirates will take the stage to compete for the coveted title of “Most Pirate-y Pirate to Sail the Seven Seas.” Expect outrageous antics, ridiculous talent displays, shameless swagger, and more salty personality than should be legally allowed in one room.
This is not just a fundraiser, it’s a rare chance to meet the souls behind the scoundrels. You’ll get an up-close, behind-the-eyepatch look at our ensemble as they banter, boast, charm, and absolutely sabotage one another in true pirate fashion. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you’ll walk into the show already knowing your favorite pirates in a way audiences don’t normally get to.
Presiding over the chaos are our celebrity judges, Hannah Palmer, Miss Michigan 2025 and Samantha McGaughey, Miss Greater Kalamazoo 2026.
And the fun doesn’t end with the crown! Join us afterward for a reception and meet-and-greet with our celebrity judges and cast! Don’t miss your chance to mingle, take photos, and celebrate the most pirate-y champion.
Come for the chaos. Stay for the comedy. Leave knowing exactly which pirate you’d trust with your ship… and which one you’d throw overboard.

Las Cafeteras has taken the music scene by storm with their infectious live performances and have crossed many genres and borders along the way. Their electric sound & energy has taken them around the world playing shows from Bonnaroo to the Hollywood Bowl, WOMAD New Zealand to Montreal Jazz and beyond!

Born and raised East of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras is remixing roots music as modern day troubadours. They are a sonic explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes that document stories of a community seeking to "build a world where many would fit".

From Afro-Mexican to Americana, from Soul to Son Jarocho, from Roots to Rock and Hip Hop, Las Cafeteras takes folk music to the future.

From the aftermath of war, a vibrant estate in Messina becomes the stage for both blossoming romance and bitter deception. Soon after coming to visit her father, the honorable Claudio swiftly falls in love with the radiant Hero. But amidst this joy, a fiery battle of wits rages between the fiercely independent Beatrice and the confirmed bachelor Benedick, two souls who swear off love with every sharp and hilarious retort. Yet, beneath their barbed exchanges, could a hidden affection be ignited by the playful meddling of their friends? As they scheme to unite these reluctant hearts, a darker plot unfolds. The vengeful Don John, fueled by malice, orchestrates a cruel lie that threatens to shatter the very foundations of Claudio and Hero's happiness.

On the eve of their wedding, a devastating illusion is planted, leading to a shocking public accusation and leaving Hero seemingly ruined. In the face of such betrayal, alliances shift, and the witty Beatrice makes a startling demand of Benedick. Will truth prevail against calculated deceit? Can love truly conquer all, even when shadowed by the darkest intentions? Prepare to be captivated by a story where laughter and heartbreak intertwine, and where the most unexpected heroes might just save the day.

Join us for a family-friendly exploration of some of the shoes featured in Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks! All ages are welcome to join in the conversation as we observe shoe designs of the past, present, and future.

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.

Please note that this event will not be livestreamed or posted on YouTube.
Gallery Gatherings are short, lightly-moderated conversations about selected artworks from ongoing exhibitions. Chairs and gallery stools are available for guests. This program is free, but preregistration is encouraged.