THEATER
Misery
March 5–15
Farmers Alley Theatre
After being rescued from a car crash by his self-avowed “number one fan,” a novelist is forced to write as if his life depends on it in this thriller based on the Stephen King novel and movie. Paul Stroili, resident artist at The Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, has the lead role as Paul Sheldon, while Laura Jordan will star in the role of avid fan Annie Wilkes.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 5–7 and 12–14 and 2 p.m. March 8 and 15. Tickets are $17–28 and available at
farmersalleytheatre.com.
• Love Games
• The Doctor Has a Beau
March 6 & 14
All Ears Theatre
Two unique all-audio productions, one improvised and one not, will be presented this month in the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition (KNAC) building, 315 W. Michigan Ave.
An improv performance inspired by the radio shows of the 1930s–50s, Love Games: All Ears After Dark & Improvised Golden Age of Radio, will feature a cast creating improvised sound effects and performances as they act out stories of romantic couples and friends who use games to express love and overcome their relationship obstacles. Show time is 7:30 p.m. March 6 in KNAC’s Crawlspace Comedy Theatre and tickets are $20.
Intrepid U.S. Marshal Chase Marlow will be on the case in The Doctor Has a Beau, to be performed at 6 p.m. March 14. Marlow seeks to make sure the town doctor’s new beau is what he seems in this radio drama written and directed by All Ears co-founder Don Ramlow. Admission is free.
Angels in America Part I: Millennium Approaches
March 13–22
Civic Theatre
Set in 1980s New York City during the onset of the AIDS crisis, this production is the first part of Tony Kushner’s two-part, Pulitzer Prize-winning play that explores themes of love, loss, religion, and politics through interconnected storylines and the supernatural intervention of an angel.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 13, 14, 20 and 21 and 2 p.m. March 15 and 22 in the Civic Theatre, 329 S. Park St. Tickets are $17–$32 and available online at kazoocivic.com or by calling 343-1313.
Much Ado About Nothing
March 20–29
WMU Theatre
With mistaken identities, romance and frenemies, this Shakespeare comedy staged by Western Michigan University students will offer enough mischief and meddling to fill a, well, theater.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 20–21 and 26–28 and 2 p.m. March 22 and 29 in Williams Theatre in the Gilmore Theatre Complex on the WMU campus. Tickets are $12–$22 and available online at wmich.edu/theatre or by calling 387–6222.
The Lysistrata Project
March 20–22
Queer Theatre Kalamazoo
Four college roommates — Manic Pixie, Gold Star, Pick-A-Side and Easy A — swear off sex for good or until the local frat boys can get their acts together in this production loosely based on the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata about women staging a sex strike to force their husbands to end the Peloponnesian War.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. March 20–21 and 2 p.m. March 22 in the Jolliffe Theatre, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall. Tickets are on a name-your-price basis and can be purchased online at queertk.org.
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
March 20–28
Dormouse Theatre
Capturing the 1960s counterculture with its themes of peace, love and anti-war protest, this show follows a “tribe” of hippies in New York City as they navigate life and protest the Vietnam War.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 20, 21, 27 and 28 at Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St. Tickets are $25 and available online at dormousetheatre.com.
The Pirates of Penzance
March 27–29
Center Stage Theatre
Swashbuckling pirates, bumbling bobbies, beautiful young maidens, and, of course, the Modern Major General, all come together in this comedic opera to be staged at Hackett Catholic Prep High School, 1000 W. Kilgore Road.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 27–28 and 2 p.m. March 28–29. Tickets are $12–$15 and available online at kzoocst.com.
VISUAL ARTS
Discovery
March 6
Art Hop
Downtown Kalamazoo’s Art Hop returns after a winter hiatus, celebrating curiosity and the art that comes from it this month
This free event, organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, runs from 5–8 p.m. and features a variety of artists’ works as well as live music and the chance to visit downtown businesses.
For a brochure showing Art Hop sites and information about participating artists, visit kalamazooarts.org.
Edible Book Festival
March 28
Kalamazoo Book Arts Center
If your favorite book were a food, what would it be? Find out how others answer this question at this annual event that invites entrants to create edible creations that are related to a book. The festival is part of the global Edible Book Festival, celebrated in more than 20 countries.
The event runs from 3:30–5 p.m. at the KBAC, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 103A. Voting begins at 3:30 p.m., with winners announced at 4 p.m., followed by eating of the books.
For more information, visit kalbookarts.org.
From Cobalt to Indigo
March 28– July 12
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
One of the most enduring and influential colors in global art history, blue is the subject of From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia that opens March 28.
Spanning centuries of Chinese and Japanese creativity, the exhibition traces how the color blue — once among the rarest and most prized pigments — shaped artistic innovation, cultural exchange, and aesthetic identity across East Asia.
The KIA, 314 S. Park St., is open 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday and noon–4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10–$15.
• Vibrations
• BFA Exhibition
Richmond Center for Visual Arts
Two new exhibitions — one featuring works by instructors, the other by students — will open this month at Western Michigan University.
Vibrations, running March 24–April 25 in the Netzorg-Kerr Gallery, brings together the work of instructors of the school’s Morean Ceramics Research Center’s Summer Intensive Workshop, highlighting the shifting role of ceramics across studio craft, design, and contemporary art.
Works by graduating seniors of WMU’s Gwen Frostic School of Art will be showcased in the 1st Annual BFA Exhibition from March 31–May 2 in the Albertine Monroe-Brown Gallery. A reception for the artists will be held from 5–8 p.m. May 1.
The galleries are located on the WMU campus and hours are noon–6 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday.
Continuing Exhibitions
Taekyeom Lee: Designed, Printed & Fired, KIA, through March 8
The Illustrated Accordion, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, through March 20
2026 Young Artists of Kalamazoo County, KIA, through March 22
Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks, KIA, through June 7
DANCE
Rootead in Rhythm: Youth Showcase
March 1
RYDDE
Highlighting African diasporic drum and dance traditions, Rootead Youth Drum & Dance Ensemble (RYDDE), will perform at 3 p.m. at the Fetzer Center, 2251 Business Court on the Western Michigan University campus.
RYDDE is a pre-professional drum and dance company for youth ages 13–18 that focuses on Black diasporic drum and dance including traditional West African, Afro Fusion, and Afro Beats.
Tickets are $15 and available online at rootead.org.
RADFest 2026
March 5–8
Various venues
For a steamy respite from the season, a weekend full of dance returns for its 16th year, when the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RADFest) presents performances by dancers from all over the world. Hosted by Wellspring, Southwest Michigan’s oldest professional dance company, the juried festival is based out of the Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, but has events scheduled at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Public Library and KP Cinema.
Tickets range from free to $25 and are available at wellspringdance.org.
MUSIC
Music to Tug at Your Harpstrings
March 1
Early Music Michigan
Early Music Michigan presents Cleveland-based historical and folk harpist and soprano Anna O’Connell, who will bring the unique sound of the Baroque double harp in combination with voice, flute, and other instruments.
Showtime is 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Ave. Recommended ticket prices are $15–$25 and available for purchase online at earlymusicmichigan.org.
Divergent Fates
March 7
Kalamazoo Philharmonia
While Igor Stravinsky’s and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s lives were incredibly similar — they were born in Russia to wealthy families, built international reputations as composers, permanently left Russia, emigrated to the U.S. and even dined together at each other’s homes in Los Angeles — their music could not be more different. These differences will be explored in this concert which also features violinist Eliot Heaton.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. in Dalton Theatre of the Light Fine Arts Building at Kalamazoo College. Tickets are $3–$7 and available at the door.
• Tonya Martini & the Bluetones
• JR Clark Band
March 15
Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association
A little blues music will help you heat up on March 15 when two Kalamazoo blues bands take the stage at Shakespeare’s Pub, Lower Level, 241 E. Kalamazoo Ave.
Performing as part of the KVBA’s Winter Blues Series, Tonya Martini & the Bluetones will play from 2–4 p.m. and the JR Clark Band takes the stage from 4–6 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $8. For more information visit kvba.org.
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Throughout the month
Various venues
From pirates to flight to the return of a Stulberg champion, the KSO has an eclectic roster of performances this month.
First up is Symphonic Beats: Hip Hop Culture, at 7:30 p.m. March 6, which will celebrate the rich history of Hip Hop, fusing it with sounds of classical music. Local artists take the stage at Kalamazoo Central High School, 2432 N. Drake Road, for cyphers, dance, spoken word, original music and artistry, all backed by the DC Quintet and Symphony musicians. Tickets are $10–$20.
On March 10, the KSO and its 2025 Youth Soloist Competition winner will perform a family-friendly flight-themed program at 6 p.m. in Miller Auditorium. The pieces featured in Music Takes Flight include Flight of the Bumblebee, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” The Ride of the Valkyries and “Mars” from The Planets. Tickets are $5–$15.
On March 21, the KSO will take to the sea when it performs the score to Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl Live while an HD projection of the movie plays. Showtime is 7 p.m. in Miller Auditorium and tickets are $35–$85.
Finally, on March 28, several Stulberg International String Competition winners, including violinist Benjamin Beilman (2007 gold medalist), will join the KSO to play Beethoven’s Violin Concerto at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Auditorium. In addition, Laurentia Woo (2025 Gold Medalist) and Lauren Yoon (2025 Julius & Esther Stulberg Memorial Prize) will perform. Tickets are $5–$68. For tickets or more information, visit kalamazoosymphony.org.
WMU School of Music
Throughout the month
Various venues
From festival performances to accomplished guest artists, the Western Michigan University Gilmore School of Music has a full slate of concerts this month. Unless otherwise noted, the performances are at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, and tickets are $6 to $18.
• Carol Dusdieker, soprano, 7:30 p.m. March 3
• John Stites Western Jazz Festival Closing Concert, University Jazz Orchestra & pianist Geoffrey Keezer, 7:30 p.m. March 7
• Will Sutton, trombone, tuba & euphonium, 7:30 p.m. March 16, Dalton Center Lecture Hall, free
• Jonathan Shames, piano, 7:30 p.m. March 16
• Varo String Quartet, 7:30 p.m. March 18; pre-concert talk 7 p.m.
• Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival, choral music, 7 p.m. March 19, Miller Auditorium
• Jazz Combo Showcase, 7:30 p.m. March 24, free
• Martha Councell-Vargas & Dianne Frazer, flute & piano, 7:30 p.m. March 25; pre-concert talk 7 p.m.
• WMU Drum Choir, 7:30 p.m. March 30, free
• Earth Echoes: Music for Health & Wellness, Deanna Bush & Wind Willow Consortium, 7:30 p.m. March 31
LITERATURE
Roots & Wings: Stories of Survival & Soaring
March 5 & 19
Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
Led by creative wellness practitioner Erica Smith, this two-part workshop blends painting and poetry to explore the theme of “Beyond Resilience.” Participants will reflect on their personal journeys, creating works that capture their “roots” (strength) and their “wings” (future growth).
Workshop sessions are 6–7:30 p.m. March 5 and 19 in the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival space at Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition (KNAC) building, 315 W. Michigan Ave. Registration is required, and participants must attend both sessions. To register and for more information, visit kalamazoopoetryfestival.com.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt
March 18
KVCC Visiting Writers Series
An award-winning author, naturalist and ecophilosopher, Haupt will give a craft talk and reading from her latest book, Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit, in the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Student Commons Theater on the college’s Texas Township campus.
Acclaimed for combining scientific knowledge with literary, poetic prose, she has won the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award, the Nautilus Book Award and is a two-time winner of the Washington State Book Award. The craft talk will be at 10 a.m. and her reading will be at 2:15 p.m. Visit libguides.kvcc.edu/visitingwriters for more information.
Katy Didden & Samyak Shertok
March 28
Kalamazoo Book Arts Center
These two poets will give readings from their work at 7 p.m. March 28 at the KBAC, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 103A, as part of its Poets in Print series.
Didden is an associate professor at Ball State University where she teaches poetry workshops and classes on creative writing and the environment. She is the author of The Glacier’s Wake and Ore Choir: The Lava on Iceland and her work has appeared in Poetry Northwest, Ecotone, 32 Poems, Diagram, The Sewanee Review and The Kenyon Review.
Originally from Nepal, Shertok’s debut collection, No Rhododendron, was selected for the 2024 AWP Donald Hall Prize for Poetry. His poems have appeared in The Cincinnati Review, The Gettysburg Review, The Iowa Review, The Kenyon Review, POETRY, Shenandoah and Best New Poets. He teaches creative writing at Hendrix College.
