Oh, Kalamazoo! Canadiana Fest brings Canada’s heart — and humor — to the Midwest
In a world divided, this Michigan-based celebration proves that music, maple, and a bit of mischief can still bring neighbors together.
Casey Grooten's Latest Articles
OutFront is out front— launching Gender-Affirming Care Fund during “Trans Out Loud!” event
During a powerful evening of poetry, music, and storytelling, OutFront Kalamazoo launched the Gender-Affirming Care Fund, a community-driven initiative to expand access to life-saving healthcare for trans and nonbinary residents of Kalamazoo County.
Reclamation & Testimony: Kalamazoo nonprofit premiers stories of the unhoused
“Kalamazoo is a beautiful place, but it’s also very small in some ways. People can live in their own bubbles, never seeing or acknowledging the unhoused community. This play keeps the humanity of people in focus. It does not pretend that this group does not exist.”
PHOTOS: Rootead’s annual Youth Drum and Dance Ensemble wows once again
Rootead's Youth Drum and Dance Ensemble showcased their incredible talent and artistry on the Comstock Community Theatre stage on February 9. Check out Fran Dwight's vibrant photographs!
Shining an iridescent light on LGBTQIA+ healthcare: Cares of Kalamazoo opens new clinic
Iridescent Health, a welcoming, inclusive clinic with a focus on LGBTQ+ individuals and underserved communities, celebrated its Grand Opening on February 12 in Kalamazoo.
A Kalamazoo poet’s journey home and her upcoming book on Nina Simone, ‘The High Priestess of Soul’
Shonda Buchanan, poet, memoirist, and Western Michigan University Professor of English, returned home to Kalamazoo where her family has deep roots. Her upcoming book, "The Lost Songs of Nina Simone" will be released in May 2025.
Bent Not Broken: Kalamazoo nonprofit empowers families affected by the juvenile justice system
Through participatory defense support and community collaboration, Bent Not Broken aims to disrupt the systemic juvenile injustice cycles in Kalamazoo.
PHOTOS: SLD Read honors 50 years of literacy success at A-Listers event
SLD Read, a nonprofit literacy education organization, celebrated 50 years at its A-Listers Literacy Event this October. The event also honored students and tutors at the celebration which took place at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan facility.
Do it — Try the honey cake from Kalamazoo’s Ukrainian Homemade Foods
"We Ukrainians all love to eat delicious food, and accordingly, cook it," says Iryna Zykova who with partner Oleksii Severyn launched Ukrainian Homemade Foods which sells food that reflects "old family recipes" that feature a "mix of different cultures."
Downtown construction: An unlikely catalyst for revitalized nightlife in Kalamazoo?
Kalamazoo street work may be slowing you down; that could have some advantages for a burgeoning downtown nightlife scene. Stay tuned for more stories in our summer series on Kalamazoo After Dark.
