Something Agricultural
Foodways Symposium explores freshwater’s role
The role that freshwater plays in the food ecosystem will be explored at the Kalamazoo Foodways Symposium April 4–5 at two locations in downtown Kalamazoo.
The symposium is free to attend and seeks to honor the community’s agricultural history and heritage cuisines. It will feature lectures, workshops, demonstrations and food tastings.
Activities for the first day of the symposium will take place at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and begin with a Water Ceremony at 5 p.m., followed by a seed share hosted by the Kalamazoo Seed Collaborative at 6 p.m.
At 7 p.m., Roger LaBine of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and Cortney Collia of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will give the symposium’s keynote address, Manidoo Ogititgann (The Spirit Garden), discussing the role of manoomin (wild rice) in Michigan. After the presentation, appetizers featuring manoomin, prepared by Chef Sam Anglin from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Chef Joel Boone of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, will be served.
The symposium will continue from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. April 5 at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building and will include presentations, a plant walk, youth activities, tours and a brewery open house.
For more information, visit kalamazoofoodways.org.
Something Musical
May Erlewine to play at Bell’s
Michigan singer/songwriter May Erlewine will celebrate the release of her new album, What It Takes, with concerts April 4 and 5 at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe.
Erlewine is best known as a folk music artist and has released more than a dozen albums since her 2004 debut, Heart Song. She will be performing at Bell’s with a full band featuring Joel Gottschalk, Packy Lundholm, Ben Rose and Charlie Millard.
Tickets are $35 and available at events.bellsbeer.com or at Bell’s General Store, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave.
Something Fun
Comic-Con returns to Expo Center
Actor Barry Bostwick, best known for his role as Brad Majors in the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, will be among the celebrities at the Kalamazoo Comic-Con, being held April 11–13 at Kalamazoo County Expo Center.
The three-day event celebrates comic books and popular arts and includes voice actors, YouTube personalities, best-selling authors, comic creators, cosplayers and more.
The convention will be held from noon–7 p.m. April 11, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. April 12 and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. April 13. Tickets are $22–$30 for those 13 and older and $6 for children ages 5–12. A three-day pass is $55 for those 13 and older and $15 for children ages 5–12.
For tickets or more information, visit grcomiccon.com.
Something Legendary
Bob Dylan to perform
Singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, whose career has spanned more than 60 years, will bring his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour to Miller Auditorium at 8 p.m. April 16.
Dylan, who rose to fame during the early 1960s, has released more than 50 albums and written more than 600 songs, including the well-known tunes “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Like a Rolling Stone.”
His Kalamazoo concert will be a phone-free performance, where guests will be required to secure their phones in provided pouches that will be opened at the end of the concert. Anyone seen using a cell phone during the performance will be escorted out of the auditorium.
Tickets are $74–$600 and available at millerauditorium.com.
Something Scientific
Miller hosts Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist and science celebrity Neil deGrasse Tyson will review the science that some of our favorite movies got wrong or right in a presentation at 7:30 p.m. April 24 at Miller Auditorium.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Goes to the Movies — Part I will look at the ways science has been depicted in popular movies such as Star Wars, Frozen and Titanic.
Tickets are $53.30–$108.30 and available at millerauditorium.com.
