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Jazz went fearless, strange, and brilliant at the Gilmore Finale — and Kalamazoo loved it
At the Gilmore Piano Festival finale in Kalamazoo, Grammy-winning pianist Sullivan Fortner and fellow jazz innovators delivered a daring, emotionally charged performance that proved the city’s audience is sophisticated enough to embrace adventurous modern jazz.
Latest stories
New KSO President Amy Williams is on a mission to make orchestral music feel like home
Amy Williams, the new president of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, brings a community-focused vision shaped by her success in Savannah, aiming to make symphony music more accessible and inviting to people across Kalamazoo.
Voices of Youth Commentary: Why school districts should consider updating nondiscrimination policies
A look at one local district examines how school policies, student experiences, and ongoing efforts to improve inclusion shape the everyday climate for LGBTQ+ students.
Seeking help: What the mental health care journey looks like
More Michiganders are receiving mental health treatment for mental illness than ever before.
Kalamazoo and Calhoun County seniors helped to age-in-place through Milestone’s home-repair program
Milestone Senior Services helped an Oshtemo senior replace a failed furnace and rebuild an unsafe ramp at no cost through grant-funded home repair and accessibility programs serving Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.
Battle Creek preschool creates culturally affirming foundation for kindergarten
Students and families feel seen, supported, and connected.
Southwest Michigan travelers are skipping airport parking thanks to this startup
South Haven entrepreneur Max Gleiss is growing Max Transportation into a trusted Southwest Michigan travel service, offering stress-free airport rides, tours, and event transportation while earning support from the South Haven Regional Business Hub.
Jazz went fearless, strange, and brilliant at the Gilmore Finale — and Kalamazoo loved it
At the Gilmore Piano Festival finale in Kalamazoo, Grammy-winning pianist Sullivan Fortner and fellow jazz innovators delivered a daring, emotionally charged performance that proved the city’s audience is sophisticated enough to embrace adventurous modern jazz.
House show or hair show? Inside Kalamazoo’s ‘secret’ salon concert scene
A downtown Kalamazoo hair salon is transforming into an intimate monthly live music venue, where Trim Salon owner Patti Ann McNulty hosts folk and Americana concerts in a uniquely DIY community space.
At Kalamazoo’s Stulberg Competition, audiences fall in love with the future of music
The 51st annual Stulberg International String Competition returns to Kalamazoo May 15–17, 2026, featuring elite young string musicians from five
countries and marking a new era under Executive Director Garret Jones.
Battle Creek woman turns healing journey into New Eden Microgreens
After overcoming a life-threatening illness, Battle Creek entrepreneur Nicole Hart launched New Eden Microgreens with support from local business organizations, bringing fresh, health-focused products to stores and restaurants across Southwest Michigan.
Local Realtors urged to explore how they can help when it comes to answering the housing crisis
Can Realtors be part of the solution when it comes to solving the housing crisis? One local Realtor urges her collegues to find a way.
The Village Network of Battle Creek dissolves as an organization
The Village Network of Battle Creek is dissolving after helping direct more than $1.25 million to BIPOC-led organizations and entrepreneurs, saying its mission to build community-led economic justice networks has successfully created lasting local momentum.
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Solutions that work, from communities like yours. Explore innovative stories from across our network showcasing how neighborhoods are solving today’s challenges together.
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Top 5 Articles
1
Seeking help: What the mental health care journey looks like
2
Southwest Michigan travelers are skipping airport parking thanks to this startup
3
Kalamazoo and Calhoun County seniors helped to age-in-place through Milestone’s home-repair program
4
Battle Creek preschool creates culturally affirming foundation for kindergarten
5
New KSO President Amy Williams is on a mission to make orchestral music feel like home
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