Something Musical
The Wallflowers to rock Bell’s
The Wallflowers, with frontman Jakob Dylan, will give an 8 p.m. performance July 8 in Bell’s Beer Garden.
The group, a rock radio staple of the post-grunge era, hit the scene with its 1996 album, Bringing Down the Horse, which won two Grammys, including one for Best Rock Song (“One Headlight”).
Folk-blues crooner Early James will be the opening act. Tickets are $59.34 and available online at events.bellsbeer.com.
Something Delicious
Restaurant Week offers special menus
For those needing a reason to get out of the kitchen during the dog days of summer, it’s Kalamazoo Restaurant Week to the rescue!
The 10-day event, running July 17–26, provides special opportunities to explore dining and drinking options in the greater Kalamazoo area. Participating restaurants will create fixed-price menus and there will be a cocktail competition, with bartenders vying for their concoctions to be crowned the Best Cocktail.
For information on participating venues and menus, visit kalamazoorestaurantweek.com.
Something Out There
Air Zoo hosts space camp for adults
Admit it. You’re just a little jealous of all the fun camps for kids in the summer. Well, get ready to entertain your own inner child when the Air Zoo hosts its Adult Space Camp from 6-11 p.m. July 26.
In addition to experiencing the Air Zoo’s rides, simulators, activities and exhibits, participants will also be able to partake in dancing, cocktails and food. And for those so inclined, costumes with a sci-fi theme are encouraged.
Tickets are $25 for Air Zoo members and $50 for others and can be purchased online at airzoo.org.
Something Cultural
Film highlights Potawatomi language
The efforts of two local tribes to revitalize their rapidly disappearing language is highlighted in a new documentary that will be shown at 6 p.m. July 17 at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
Bodewadmi Ndaw (I Am Potawatomi) was created by Kalamazoo filmmaker Davis Henderson, a citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians (also known as the Gun Lake Tribe). The film looks at the work by this tribe and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi to preserve their native language, Bodéwadmimwen. Following the screening, Henderson will lead a community conversation about his project.
Admission is free, but registration is required. To register, visit tinyurl.com/potawatomifilm.
Something Gritty
Blues Fest returns to downtown
Blues enthusiasts will have no reason to be blue this month, since the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Festival returns July 18 and 19 to the Arcadia Creek Festival Place, in downtown Kalamazoo.
The festival begins at 5 p.m. July 18, and the first day will feature performances by the Jim Klein Band, Chris Canas, Ivy Ford and harmonica master Brandon Santini. It resumes at 1 p.m. July 19 with a lineup that includes The Lefthanded Rollers, Crossroads Resurrection, Stefan Hillesheim and Vanessa Collier.
Tickets are $15 for July 18, $25 for July 19 and $35 for both days. They can be purchased in advance at kvba.org.
