Community Calendar

The perfect place to dive into broom making! This class begins with the basics—whisk brooms and cobwebbers—and builds up from there. Students will get hands-on experience with several types of brooms, including hearth brooms, turkey wings, kitchen brooms, and more. Each project introduces new techniques, so students will grow their skills (and their broom collections!) with every step.

Welcome to our hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the basics of using edge tools in woodworking! This event is perfect for beginners looking to improve their woodworking skills. Tool setup, safe handling, and basics of sharpening will all be covered. These skillsets are an essential addition to any woodworker’s toolbox. Bring a tool that you’d like to sharpen!

Get ready for some glitz and glamour! Art Detectives will read a book about a stylish vampire and his passion for fashion before exploring Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society. We'll discover amazing outfits created by famous designers alongside artworks from the KIA's permanent collection. We'll also create a fashion inspired art project to take home.

Statement Pieces is organized in conjunction with Barrett Barrera Projects. Made possible by generous support from Diane & Randy Eberts and Heritage Community of Kalamazoo.

This event is made possible by generous support from PNC Foundation.

The Sky’s the Limit

Look up and be amazed at the stars above you. Enjoy Silent Sky in the Parish Theatre from November 6-15, 2026.

The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who has no time for the women’s probing theories. In her free time, as Henrietta attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love.

Purchase Tickets: https://bit.ly/SilentSkyTicketsNov6-15
Flex Pass Subscriptions: https://bit.ly/KazooCivicFlexPass
Group Rates: Call (269) 343-1313 or visit: https://bit.ly/KzooCivicGroupTix

Performance Dates and Times:
• Friday, November 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM
• Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM*
• Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM
• Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM
• Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM
• Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM
*November 7 at 7:30 PM (ASL Interpreted & Audio Description Services Available)

By Lauren Gunderson
SILENT SKY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. www.concordtheatricals.com

The perfect place to dive into broom making! This class begins with the basics—whisk brooms and cobwebbers—and builds up from there. Students will get hands-on experience with several types of brooms, including hearth brooms, turkey wings, kitchen brooms, and more. Each project introduces new techniques, so students will grow their skills (and their broom collections!) with every step.

The Sky’s the Limit

Look up and be amazed at the stars above you. Enjoy Silent Sky in the Parish Theatre from November 6-15, 2026.

The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who has no time for the women’s probing theories. In her free time, as Henrietta attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love.

Purchase Tickets: https://bit.ly/SilentSkyTicketsNov6-15
Flex Pass Subscriptions: https://bit.ly/KazooCivicFlexPass
Group Rates: Call (269) 343-1313 or visit: https://bit.ly/KzooCivicGroupTix

Performance Dates and Times:
• Friday, November 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM
• Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM*
• Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM
• Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM
• Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM
• Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM
*November 7 at 7:30 PM (ASL Interpreted & Audio Description Services Available)

By Lauren Gunderson
SILENT SKY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. www.concordtheatricals.com

Pianist Tom Borrow has earned international attention since his breakthrough performance with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019, when, with just 36 hours’ notice, he stepped in for Khatia Buniatishvili in a 12-concert tour performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G. Born in Tel Aviv and a protégé of Murray Perahia, Borrow has since appeared with leading orchestras around the world, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and NHK Symphony Orchestra, while giving recitals at renowned venues and festivals such as the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, and the Concertgebouw.

Praised for playing that is “both light and powerful,” Borrow combines technical brilliance with remarkable musical insight, making every performance both compelling and memorable.

Program
W.A MOZART
Sonata No. 8 in A Minor, K. 310
F. LISZT
Réminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418
Sonata in B Minor, S. 178

The Naghash Ensemble weaves together the earthy spirituality of Armenian sacred song, the richness of new classical composition and contemporary global influences.

Featuring three remarkable female vocalists alongside master instrumentalists on duduk, oud, dhol and piano, the ensemble performs original music by Armenian-American composer John Hodian inspired by the poetry of the 15th-century Armenian mystic and priest Mkrtich Naghash.

Rooted in ancient spiritual traditions yet shaped by a modern musical language, their work transcends cultural and stylistic boundaries, creating an experience that is both timeless and deeply moving. Blending folk traditions, classical form, and improvisational energy, The Naghash Ensemble offers audiences a powerful journey of sound, emotion, and connection across centuries and cultures.

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Celebrate the unifying power of the world’s music at the 2026 Connecting Chords Music Festival, running from August 14 – November 29. Established in 2001, the Festival features an incredible variety and quality of musicians every year – if you know, *you know*!

Learn more about the Festival at ccmusicfest.com.

The Naghash Ensemble combines the earthy spirituality of Armenian folk song, new classical music, and contemporary post-minimalism with the energy of rock and jazz. Three brilliant female vocalists and some of Armenia’s finest instrumentalists on duduk, oud, dhol, and piano play captivating new music based on sacred texts by the medieval Armenian mystic poet and priest Mkrtich Naghash.

Written by Armenian-American composer John Hodian, The Naghash Ensemble’s “Songs of Exile” is a meditation on man’s relationship to God from the perspective of a monk forced to live in exile for many years.

“An enchanting elixir of sounds based on new Armenian folk and centuries-old poetry.” – KEXP
“A moment of grace and meditation.” – Rolling Stone

Open to ages 18+.

What would happen to your family heirlooms if the weather damaged your home? National Heritage Emergency Responder Jared Yax will guide you in how to assess risks to your prized possessions and how to protect them. Through a hands-on risk assessment using the Parchment Community Library as an example, you’ll gain experience in how to plan to protect your prized possessions and cultural objects. You’ll also find out what types of restoration services are available if a disaster should happen. Registration is requested. Register online, in person, or by calling the library.

Jared Yax is a cultural heritage emergency response consultant based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where he studied History, Archaeology and the German language. Jared has over 20+ years of curatorial experience as a museum professional, and 14 years of experience as a firefighter/medical first responder achieving the rank of lieutenant. He has had the opportunity during his museum career to work with historic objects such as from the Titanic, the tomb of King Thutmose III, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Whydah pirate ship, and whale skeletons of New Zealand. During his emergency responder career, Jared has received certifications in ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, NIMS/IS 700 & 800, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I & II, Incident Safety Officer, Hazmat Operations, and the Blue Card Incident Commander Program. Jared is a graduate of the Smithsonian Heritage Emergency And Response Training and has become a course advisor and contract instructor with the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative for the program. As an all hazards responder, Jared has consulted for cultural institutions undergoing emergencies across the United States in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.