Meet Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, the mission-driven visionary behind Sounds of the Zoo
“We're celebrating diversity and inclusion, bringing awareness to mental health and sustainability and creating change through music.”
Arts & Culture
Coverage of visual arts, performing arts, cultural events, and artistic entrepreneurs
Latest in Arts & Culture
Poet’s Press: “The Streets Still Remember,” reflections on growing up on Kalamazoo’s Northside
Poet's Press, a Second Wave quarterly series presented in partnership with the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival, launches with our first installment by poet Markeva Love and collaborating artist Taylor Scamehorn. This series features news poems — an experimental form that examines local people, places, and events through a personal, poetic lens.
Heavy music, humid nights: Kalamazoo’s RunOff brings the noise — and the heart
In a sweltering Kalamazoo garage known as The RunOff, a tight-knit DIY music community gathers for a night of blistering metal, haunting sax solos, and family-style chaos — raising the volume, and funds, in equal measure.
The kids are alright — but the Geezers are having more fun
At Shakespeare's Pub in Kalamazoo, the “Geezer Happy Hour” packs the dance floor with seniors rocking out to Duke and the Loose Cannons, a band rooted in the city’s countercultural past. With vintage jams and early bedtimes, rebellion never sounded so good.
Real-Life Fairy Godmothers: Kalamazoo prom dress giveaway event for high schoolers in need
The Cinderella Project, sponsored by Memories Bridal and Evening Wear, offers high school students the chance to feel like a princess, replete with a fairy godmother to assist in their choice of a gown. This year's prom dress giveaway takes place March 28.
Beyond the Headlines in 2024: Journalists reflect on stories that impacted them
A look back at the stories of 2024 through the eyes of your Southwest Michigan Second Wave writers.
PHOTOS: It’s harvest time in Southwest Michigan and Calhoun County farm and school celebrate
If you don't yet have a pumpkin, these photos might get you in the mood. Photographer John Grap captured some harvest joy at Of the Land, a homestead, farm, and farm school, in Battle Creek.
West Michigan teens tackle ‘wicked’ problems at the Wege High School Collaborative Studio
West Michigan high school students tackle complex global issues at the Wege High School Collaborative Studio. The two-week program showcases the power of youth-driven sustainable design.
Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement
Since 2017, the Campus for Creative Aging has been offering a variety of innovative opportunities for older adults in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties – and helping younger residents understand and respect their older neighbors.
Take a journey into regenerative design with Common Object
KCAD grads Justin Beitzel and Fernando Ramirez share their philosophy of regenerative design in their firm Common Object, which helps organizations take steps toward sustainability.
Poet’s Press: “The Streets Still Remember,” reflections on growing up on Kalamazoo’s Northside
Poet's Press, a Second Wave quarterly series presented in partnership with the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival, launches with our first installment by poet Markeva Love and collaborating artist Taylor Scamehorn. This series features news poems — an experimental form that examines local people, places, and events through a personal, poetic lens.
Heavy music, humid nights: Kalamazoo’s RunOff brings the noise — and the heart
In a sweltering Kalamazoo garage known as The RunOff, a tight-knit DIY music community gathers for a night of blistering metal, haunting sax solos, and family-style chaos — raising the volume, and funds, in equal measure.
The kids are alright — but the Geezers are having more fun
At Shakespeare's Pub in Kalamazoo, the “Geezer Happy Hour” packs the dance floor with seniors rocking out to Duke and the Loose Cannons, a band rooted in the city’s countercultural past. With vintage jams and early bedtimes, rebellion never sounded so good.
Real-Life Fairy Godmothers: Kalamazoo prom dress giveaway event for high schoolers in need
The Cinderella Project, sponsored by Memories Bridal and Evening Wear, offers high school students the chance to feel like a princess, replete with a fairy godmother to assist in their choice of a gown. This year's prom dress giveaway takes place March 28.
Beyond the Headlines in 2024: Journalists reflect on stories that impacted them
A look back at the stories of 2024 through the eyes of your Southwest Michigan Second Wave writers.
PHOTOS: It’s harvest time in Southwest Michigan and Calhoun County farm and school celebrate
If you don't yet have a pumpkin, these photos might get you in the mood. Photographer John Grap captured some harvest joy at Of the Land, a homestead, farm, and farm school, in Battle Creek.
West Michigan teens tackle ‘wicked’ problems at the Wege High School Collaborative Studio
West Michigan high school students tackle complex global issues at the Wege High School Collaborative Studio. The two-week program showcases the power of youth-driven sustainable design.
Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement
Since 2017, the Campus for Creative Aging has been offering a variety of innovative opportunities for older adults in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties – and helping younger residents understand and respect their older neighbors.
Take a journey into regenerative design with Common Object
KCAD grads Justin Beitzel and Fernando Ramirez share their philosophy of regenerative design in their firm Common Object, which helps organizations take steps toward sustainability.
