Something Inspiring
Lyceum to explore ‘A Life Well Lived’
What does it mean to have a life well lived? That question will be explored in a community conversation held by the Kalamazoo Lyceum at the Kalamazoo Public Library.
This free event, set for 2 p.m. Jan. 18, is the fourth in a five-part series of connected events titled “A Life Well Lived — Kalamazoo,” which began in October with the aim of inspiring dialogue about living a purposeful and full life.
The series is a collaboration of Western Michigan University’s Center for the Study of Ethics in Society, the WMU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Kalamazoo Lyceum to encourage more intergenerational relationships, a stronger sense of community, and a shared hopeful vision for the future.
It was inspired by filmmaker Sky Bergman’s documentary Lives Well Lived, in which she interviews her 99-year-old grandmother and other seniors about living a full life.
The final event in the series, on March 15 at WMU, will include a talk by Bergman. For more information or to RSVP for either of the events, visit linktr.ee/kzoolwl.
Something Musical
Tauk brings tour to Bell’s
The progressive rock-fusion group Tauk, a band that has shared the stage with the likes of Umphrey’s McGee and Widespread Panic, will give a concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 30 in Bell’s Backroom, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave.
Tauk, whose current lineup has been performing together since 2012, has recorded six albums and performed at festivals from Bonnaroo to Electric Forest.
The Jan. 18 show is standing room only, and anyone 17 or under will be admitted only with a parent or guardian. Tickets are $20–$25 and can be purchased at events.bellsbeer.com.
Something Cinematic
Festival highlights short films
Short films and music videos by filmmakers from the Great Lakes region will be featured in the Wolf Tree Film Festival, set for 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall.
Now in its seventh year, the festival features short films that are set in the Great Lakes region, include themes or topics related to the region, or are the work of filmmakers or musicians who live in or grew up in the region.
This year the festival also includes Michigan Music Video Award categories.
Tickets are $19. For more information, visit thefranke.org.
Something Festive
Gala welcomes Lunar New Year
You can celebrate the Year of the Snake when the Chinese American Association of Greater Kalamazoo hosts its annual Lunar New Year Gala at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at Chenery Auditorium.
The Lunar New Year is an occasion with historical and cultural significance that is observed in Asian countries. The local gala will feature food, music, dance and activities to celebrate the occasion.
Tickets are $10. Children 5 or younger get in free. For more information on where to buy tickets, visit cagk.org.
Something Hot
History of coffee is focus of talk
If you want to know the journey that coffee takes from farms growing coffee beans to your cup, you will have two opportunities to learn this month Gary Marquardt, associate director of Western Michigan University’s Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies and a lecturer in African American and African Studies, will present two talks about the history of the beverage:
- Coffee: Bean to Cup, 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Portage District Library.
- Seed to Cup: Coffee Histories, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Eastwood Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library.
Marquardt has worked in the coffee industry in cold brew production and roasting and as an educator for La Barba Coffee.
