THEATER
The Wizard of Oz,
Escape to Margaritaville,
Nunsense
Barn Theatre
The Barn Theatre has three musical shows for audiences this month. The first, The Wizard of Oz, follows Dorothy on her adventures down the Yellow Brick Road as she tries to get back to Kansas. Show times are 8 p.m. Aug. 1–5 & 8–12 and 5 p.m. Aug. 6 & 13.
Island life and the carefree spirit of the beach will be featured in the theatre’s performance of Escape to Margaritaville, a comedy featuring such Jimmy Buffett classics as “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Show times are 8 p.m. Aug. 15–19 & 22–26 and 5 p.m. Aug. 20 & 27.
Finishing out the month will be Nunsense, with antics and misadventures as the Little Sisters of Hoboken stage a variety show to raise money to bury their sisters who were accidentally poisoned by the convent cook. Show times are 8 p.m. Aug. 29–31 & Sept. 1 & 2 and 5 p.m. Sept. 3.
The Barn Theatre is located at 13351 West M-96, Augusta. Tickets are $43–$51. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 731-4121 or visit barntheatreschool.org.
Ongoing Production
She Persisted, The Musical
Through Aug. 6
Farmers Alley Theatre
VISUAL ARTS
Ongoing Exhibitions
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts:
Unveiling American Genius
Through Dec. 31
Sugoi! 200 Years of Japanese Art
Through Sept. 3
West Michigan Area Show
Through Aug. 27
LITERATURE
Author Talks
Various Times
Various Venues
Authors of both fiction and nonfiction works will discuss their writing this month, some in person and some online:
Isabel Estrada O’Hagin will present a talk on her picture book, La Mariachi, at 5 p.m. Aug. 1 at This is a Bookstore, 3019 Oakland Drive. It’s about a young girl in the 1970s who wants to become a mariachi but is told only boys can be that kind of singer.
Robert Jones Jr. will discuss his award-winning novel and bestseller, The Prophets, online at 4 p.m. Aug. 15. To register, visit kpl.gov.
Writer Cassandra Clare will discuss her latest book, Chain of Thorns, online at 8 p.m. Aug. 23. To register, visit kpl.gov.
Jeff Selingo will give an online talk about his book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, at 2 p.m. Aug. 30. To register, visit kpl.gov.
MUSIC
Summertime Live Concerts
Various Times
Various Venues
August offers a calendar chock full of free outdoor concerts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or chairs. The groups performing and the concert locations are:
- Joshua Tree, 3 p.m. Aug. 2, Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., Richland
- Zion Lion, 5 p.m. Aug. 2, Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W. Hickory Road, Hickory Corners
- The Skeletones/Hurricane, 5:15 p.m. Aug. 2, 126 N. Kalamazoo Ave., downtown Vicksburg
- The Kalamazoo Kittens, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 2, Bates Alley (between Pitcher and Portage streets), downtown Kalamazoo
- The Kennedy Affair, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 4, Bronson Park
- Fake Baseball, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4, State Theatre
- Kalamazoo Avenue Band, 6 p.m. Aug. 6, Flesher Field, 3664 Ninth St., Oshtemo Township
- The Bronk Bros, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Kindleberger Park, 122 N. Riverview Drive, Parchment
- RetroVibe, 5 p.m. Aug. 9, Gilmore Car Museum
- Rusty and the Nails/Tom Askey — Old Hank’s Son, 5:15 p.m. Aug. 9, downtown Vicksburg
- Comedian Cam Honeyager/Pieter the Great/DJ Mel V, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 9, Bates Alley
- Rhythm Society Orchestra, 7 p.m. Aug. 10, Overlander Bandshell, 7810 Shaver Road, Portage
- Shelagh Brown Band, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 11, Bronson Park
- Samuel Nalangira Ensemble, 4 p.m. Aug. 13, Bronson Park
- Kaitlin Rose and the Thorns, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13, Kindleberger Park
- LaSoulfulRock, 3 p.m. Aug. 16, Richland Area Community Center
- Thornapple Jazz Quartet, 5 p.m. Aug. 16, Gilmore Car Museum
- Three of a Kind/Greg Cordes, 5:15 p.m. Aug. 16, downtown Vicksburg
- UG Bino/Early N Da Mornin’/Courtney Moore/Jurell/DJ NoLimit, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Bates Alley
- Youth and Teen Talent Show, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 18, Bronson Park
- Schlitz Creek Bluegrass Band, 4 p.m. Aug. 20, Texas Drive Park, 6603 Texas Drive, Texas Corners
- Gizzae, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20, Kindleberger Park
- Michigan Freedom Rockers, 5 p.m. Aug. 23, Gilmore Car Museum
- Zion Lion, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23, Bates Alley
- Ben Traverse, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25, Bronson Park
- Dogpatch Lullaby/False Atlas, 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Celery Flats, 7328 Garden Lane, Portage
- Kalamazoo Scottish Festival, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27, Kindleberger Park
- Hoot Owls, 5 p.m. Aug. 30, Gilmore Car Museum
- DJ Chuck with Native Child and more, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 30, Bates Alley
