Community Calendar

Chinese, Korean, and Japanese artists have been painting pictures of birds for more than 1000 years. With an estimated 50 billion birds flying around us all the time, this comes as little surprise. Birders, who partake in one of the globe’s fastest-growing, multi-generational pastimes, know our feathered friends offer endless variety and incredible beauty. During this Joy Light Lecture in East Asian Art, Dr. Robert Mintz will guide our exploration of East Asian “bird and flower painting” through the joy of “artistic bird-watching.”

Kalamazoo Art League is delighted to sponsor this year’s Joy Light Lecture in East Asian Art and will provide a reception before the presentation, starting at 5:30 pm.

Dr. Mintz is the Chief Curatorial Director of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. A specialist in 18th-century Japanese painting, he oversees the art research and exhibitions program and guides the growth, preservation, and presentation of the museum’s Asian and Asian American art collections.

All hybrid events will be livestreamed to our YouTube page and can be found under the “Live” tab. Recordings of select past events are available on YouTube as well.

A cast of local students in grades 4-8 present Myth-Understood at Tibbits Opera House.

When a pair of students begin working on a report on Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses themselves decide this is their chance to set the record straight! Whisked away to Mount Olympus itself, the children hear the stories right from Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athena and more. In re-telling these classic tales, they share the myths that we’ve all heard, but each with its own unique twist. Can the gods and goddesses be trusted? And what grade will our students get on their report? Audiences are invited to come along for the ride, because whether they’re the truth or not, these stories will definitely be entertaining!

Bird Banding Up Close

Wednesdays, August 27 – September 24, 8-10 am (weather permitting)

Wednesdays, October 1 – October 29, 9-11 am (weather permitting)

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission
Audience: All ages
Meet: Banding Barn near KNC Camp

For half a century, the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory’s team of researchers has been banding birds. This long-running program has contributed data on over 650,000 birds to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory that is actively being used for scientific research, management and conservation of birds across the country. As we embark on our 52nd year of this critical work, we invite you to come witness the intricate process of bird banding and observe these beautiful birds up close at the KNC Banding Barn.

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab

A cast of local students in grades 4-8 present Myth-Understood at Tibbits Opera House.

When a pair of students begin working on a report on Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses themselves decide this is their chance to set the record straight! Whisked away to Mount Olympus itself, the children hear the stories right from Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athena and more. In re-telling these classic tales, they share the myths that we’ve all heard, but each with its own unique twist. Can the gods and goddesses be trusted? And what grade will our students get on their report? Audiences are invited to come along for the ride, because whether they’re the truth or not, these stories will definitely be entertaining!

Raptor Run 5K & Kids Raptor Run
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Start off your day at the popular 5K Raptor Run/Walk along some of KNC’s most beautiful trails. The untimed run/walk includes steep hills, forest views, and a variety of terrain. Younger participants can join the Kids’ Raptor Run for ages 8 and under on a stroller-friendly, 1K romp around the Habitat Haven Trail.

Bird Banding Up Close

Wednesdays, August 27 – September 24, 8-10 am (weather permitting)

Wednesdays, October 1 – October 29, 9-11 am (weather permitting)

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission
Audience: All ages
Meet: Banding Barn near KNC Camp

For half a century, the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory’s team of researchers has been banding birds. This long-running program has contributed data on over 650,000 birds to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory that is actively being used for scientific research, management and conservation of birds across the country. As we embark on our 52nd year of this critical work, we invite you to come witness the intricate process of bird banding and observe these beautiful birds up close at the KNC Banding Barn.

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab

In celebration of Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper, visit the library to make your own bookmark using colorful washi tape and book pages. All supplies will be provided.

Please note that this event will not be livestreamed or posted on YouTube.

A cast of local students in grades 4-8 present Myth-Understood at Tibbits Opera House.

When a pair of students begin working on a report on Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses themselves decide this is their chance to set the record straight! Whisked away to Mount Olympus itself, the children hear the stories right from Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Athena and more. In re-telling these classic tales, they share the myths that we’ve all heard, but each with its own unique twist. Can the gods and goddesses be trusted? And what grade will our students get on their report? Audiences are invited to come along for the ride, because whether they’re the truth or not, these stories will definitely be entertaining!

Bird Banding Up Close

Wednesdays, August 27 – September 24, 8-10 am (weather permitting)

Wednesdays, October 1 – October 29, 9-11 am (weather permitting)

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission
Audience: All ages
Meet: Banding Barn near KNC Camp

For half a century, the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory’s team of researchers has been banding birds. This long-running program has contributed data on over 650,000 birds to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory that is actively being used for scientific research, management and conservation of birds across the country. As we embark on our 52nd year of this critical work, we invite you to come witness the intricate process of bird banding and observe these beautiful birds up close at the KNC Banding Barn.

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab

Bird Banding Up Close

Wednesdays, August 27 – September 24, 8-10 am (weather permitting)

Wednesdays, October 1 – October 29, 9-11 am (weather permitting)

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission
Audience: All ages
Meet: Banding Barn near KNC Camp

For half a century, the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory’s team of researchers has been banding birds. This long-running program has contributed data on over 650,000 birds to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory that is actively being used for scientific research, management and conservation of birds across the country. As we embark on our 52nd year of this critical work, we invite you to come witness the intricate process of bird banding and observe these beautiful birds up close at the KNC Banding Barn.

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab