Cara Lieurance

The Battle Creek Symphony's next concert, "Russian Romance," is at 7:30 pm Saturday, April 3. It's a free concert that can be streamed by filling out reservation form at the Battle Creek Symphony website.  

"In the Mood," "Minnie The Moocher," "Stormy Weather," "American Salute," and "Guadalcanal March" -- those are some of the highlights shared by Dr. Tom Evans in a Kalamazoo Concert Band Flashback with Cara Lieurance, live on Classical WMUK. The concert, which was recorded on Feb 22, 2020 in Chenery Auditorium, was called "The Homefront: Musical Memories of World War II," and featured Kalamazoo-based singer Megan Dooley. The versatile singer with a 100-year songlist performed in front of a capacity crowd with the 80-member band, led by Tom Evans.

Nearly a dozen artists are thrilled to be setting up their stalls for the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo's Art Hop this Friday, says Programs Director Bianca Washington-Ciungan. In a conversation with Cara Lieurance, Washington-Ciungan explains that for the first time since the pandemic began, Art Hop will be in-person, but outdoors. She also thought it was important to continue online Art Hop as well, so there are artist interviews and other features available at the Arts Council website. 

Friedrich Gulda's 1980 cello concerto has to be heard to be believed. Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra music director Julian Kuerti and principal cellist Igor Cetkovic joined Cara Lieurance to preview the one-of-a-kind concerto as well as two other works on the program: Kurt Weill's suite from The Threepenny Opera and Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik serenade. It will be streamed at 7 pm Friday, Mar 26.

Most musicals get their tryouts far from Broadway. Their creators seek input and advice of peers, mentors, and workshop opportunities to solidify the makings of a hit.  In Kalamazoo, Farmers Alley Theatre is formalizing those opportunities with a new initiative called the Creator's Studio. Its first production, premiering online Mar 26-28, was written by Kalamazoo native Joriah Kwamé, who composed the music and wrote the lyrics and dialogue to his new musical Sophia, Our Beloved.  Kwamé, a performer and recording artist whose songs have received millions of Youtube views, and Farmers Alley artistic director Jeremy Koch, spoke with Cara Lieurance about the new work.