Something Entertaining
Patinkin to perform at Miller
Emmy- and Tony-winning singer, actor and storyteller Mandy Patinkin will perform his favorite Broadway and classic American tunes at 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Miller Auditorium.
Patinkin has had success on the Broadway stage as well as in film and television, and he’ll bring those experiences to this show, titled “Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive.”
Tickets are $57.46–$118.56 and available at the Miller Auditorium box office or at millerauditorium.com.
Something Rolling
Week of events bolsters biking
With events, tune-up clinics and rides that celebrate and encourage bicycle riding, Kalamazoo Area Bike Week will be held from May 10–17 at various locations around the area.
The week will feature dozens of bicycling-focused activities, including group rides and organized trail riding as well as workshops on riding gravel and mountain bikes, bicycle maintenance, and bicycling safety for kids. In addition, information about local bicycle clubs, riding groups and shops will be available.
For more information, visit kalamazoobikeweek.org or the Kalamazoo Bike Week page on Facebook.
Something Natural
Show features rocks, gems and more
With more than 50 booths, plus speakers, demonstrations and activities, the Rock, Gem, Fossil and Mineral Show at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center will give rockhounds plenty to see and do.
The event runs from May 2–4 and is hosted by the Kalamazoo Geological & Mineral Society. It will feature rocks and gems for sale; demonstrations on subjects such as silverwork, wire wrapping, faceting and slate carving; and educational activities for kids. Plus, KGMS members will display some of their favorite finds.
The show’s hours are 2–8 p.m. May 2, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. May 3, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. May 4. Admission is $5 for those 12 and older. For more information, visit kalamazoorockclub.org.
Something Fresh
Farmers Markets start new season
With these outdoor farmers markets opening this month around the area, you can get your fill of fresh produce, artisan wares and locally produced foods:
• Kalamazoo Farmers Market, 1204 Bank St., will open May 3 and be held from 7 a.m.–2 p.m. each Saturday through October. The location’s Night Market, held from 5–10 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month, will begin in June and run through September. For more information, visit pfcmarkets.com.
•Portage Farmers Market, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave., will open May 4 and be held from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 12 outside Portage City Hall. For more information, visit portagemi.gov/607/farmers-market.
• Texas Township Farmers Market, 7110 West Q Ave., will open for the season on May 10 and be open from 8 a.m.–noon Saturdays through Oct. 18. Its Tuesday night market will begin on June 3 and be held from 4–7 p.m. until Aug. 26. More information can be found at texastownship.org/168/farmers-market.
•Vicksburg Farmers Market, 300 N. Richardson St., will be held from 2–6 p.m. Fridays from May 16–Sept. 26. For more information, visit vicksburgfarmersmarket.com.
Something Good
Pull invasive species in Portage
If the current economic, global or national situation, or all of the above, have you feeling like you need to tear something out, Portage has the event for you: its month-long Garlic Mustard Pull Contest.
Beginning May 1, pullers of this invasive species can bring bags of the garlic mustard booty they’ve pulled from Portage parks to the city’s Parks and Recreation Building at 320 Library Lane, for weighing. At the end of the month, the individual who has pulled the most garlic mustard will win a grand prize, while runners-up and participants who collect at least 50 pounds of garlic mustard will be eligible for a gift.
For more information, visit portagemi.gov/calendar.
