THEATER
Rent
June 22–July 9
Farmers Alley Theatre
This play is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today.
Rent follows a year in the lives of a group of friends living in Lower Manhattan. Mark (played by Jason Koch), a filmmaker, and Roger (Logan Farine), a musician, are living in the apartment of their former friend Benny (Kemar Williams), under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The local production is directed by Trey Ellet, and show times are 7:30 p.m. June 22–24, June 29–July 1 and July 6–8 and 2 p.m. June 25, July 2 and 9. Tickets are $25–$49 and available at farmersalleytheatre.com.
VISUAL ARTS
Art Fairs
June 2 & 3
Downtown Kalamazoo & Bronson Park
You will find artwork in all shapes and sizes of media at two events on the same
weekend in downtown Kalamazoo this month:
Art on the Mall, which occurs on the Kalamazoo Mall and South Street, is a soft-juried event that will feature more than more than 60 local and regional artists
showcasing their works in media including painting, jewelry, pottery, sculpture and garden arts. The event will include art demonstrations and live entertainment. It is
presented by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and will run from noon–8 p.m.
June 2 and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. June 3. For more information, visit kalamazooarts.com.
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair will bring more than 100 artists from all over the U.S. to Bronson Park to exhibit their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry,
ceramics, glass art, fiber art and more. The fair will include music, food trucks and family activities, and there will be free admission to the KIA galleries, at 314 S. Park
St. The fair will run from noon–8 p.m. June 2 and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. June 3. For more information, visit kiarts.org.
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
Lines That . . .
Through June 11
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Unveiling American Genius
Through Dec. 31
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Cross Currents: East/West Woodblock Prints
Through July 28
Kalamazoo Book Arts Center
LITERATURE
Author Talks
Throughout the month
Various venues
Authors of both fiction and nonfiction works will discuss
their writing in talks this month:
Mike Rucker, an organizational psychologist and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association, will give an online talk about his book, The Fun Habit: How the Disciplined Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life, at 4 p.m. June 7. To register, visit kpl.gov.
Jamie Beck, a photographer who has worked for Chanel, Donna Karan, Nike, Oscar de la Renta, Google, Samsung and Microsoft, will talk online about her book, An American in Provence, at 2 p.m. June 15. To register, visit kpl.https://www.kpl.gov/gov.
Mystery writer Maris Soule will talk about the third book in her P.J. Benson series, Eat Crow and Die, at 6:30 p.m. June 20 at the Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Drive. For more information, visit parchmentlibrary.org.
Tananarive Due, an American Book Award–winning, bestselling author of 16 books will give an online talk on her latest work, The Wishing Pool and Other Stories, a collection of horror, suspense and science fiction, at 8 p.m. June 28. To register, visit kpl.gov.
MUSIC
Takes on Tango
June 4
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Chilean violinist Freddy Varela Montero will join the KSO chamber players for a 3 p.m. performance in the Dalton Center Recital Hall on Western Michigan University’s campus.
Montero is the concertmaster of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has performed as a soloist in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and North and Central America.
Tickets are $5–$35. For more information, visit kalamazoosymphony.com.
Summertime Live Concerts
Various times
Various venues
A full roster of summer outdoor concerts is planned for Kalamazoo, Portage, Richland, Vicksburg, Hickory Corners and Oshtemo Township.
Unless stated otherwise, the concerts are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or chairs. The groups performing in June and the concert locations are:
- A Night with Lady Ace, 6 p.m. June 2, State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick St.
- Kalamazoo Concert Band, 4 p.m., June 4, Bronson Park
- FlyLiteGemini and Out of Favor Boys, 5:30 p.m. June 7, Bates Alley (between Pitcher and Portage streets), downtown Kalamazoo
- Chris Karl, Gilmore Car Museum, 5 p.m. June 7, 6865 W. Hickory Road, Hickory Corners
- Motortown All-Stars, 7 p.m. June 8, Overlander Bandshell, 7810 Shaver Road, Portage
- Ada LeAnn, 11:30 a.m. June 9, Bronson Park
- Zion Lion Reggae Band, 6 p.m. June 11, Flesher Field, 3664 Ninth St., Oshtemo Township
- Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations, 6:30 p.m. June 11, Kindleberger Park, 122 N. Riverview Drive, Parchment
- BenJammin, 3 p.m. June 14, Richland Area Community Center, 9400 E. CD Ave., Richland
- Formal Invitation, 5 p.m. June 14, Gilmore Car Museum
- Sage Castleberry and DJ Mel V, 5:30 p.m. June 14, Bates Alley
- Hurricane and Left on Main, 5:15 p.m. June 14, 126 N. Kalamazoo Ave., Downtown Vicksburg
- Out of Favor Boys, 11:30 a.m. June 15, Bronson Park
- Queer the Block, 5:30 p.m. June 17, State Theatre
- Gun River Band, 3 p.m. June 21, Richland Area Community Center
- Hi-Views, 5 p.m. June 21, Gilmore Car Museum
- Allie Garland Band, Sean Gibson and Old Hank’s Son, 5:15 p.m. June 21, Downtown Vicksburg
- J.Cam.G and DJ Jason Veeder, 5:30 p.m. June 21, Bates Alley
- Crooked Root Band, 4:30 p.m. June 23, Celery Flats, 7328 Garden Lane, Portage
- Joshua Tree, 6:30 p.m. June 23, Celery Flats
- Kanola Band, 11:30 a.m. June 23, Bronson Park
- Megan Dooley Trio, 4 p.m. June 25, Bronson Park
- The Hoot Owls, 3 p.m. June 28, Richland Area Community Center
- Tony Reynolds, 5 p.m. June 28, Gilmore Car Museum
- John Louis Good, Rose City Troubadours and Greg Cordes, 5:15 p.m. June 28, Downtown Vicksburg
- Sam Luna and Grace Theisen Trio, 5:30 p.m. June 28, Bates Alley
- Jeffery Cavataio, 7 p.m. June 29, Overlander Bandshell, Portage
- Dylan Tolbert, 11:30 a.m. June 30, Bronson Park
