Author

Mark Wedel

Mark Wedel has been a freelance journalist since 1992, covering a bewildering variety of subjects. He also writes books on his epic bike rides across the country. He's written a book on one ride, "Mule Skinner Blues." For more information, see www.markswedel.com.

Mark Wedel's Latest Articles

Portage welcomes author Jason Reynolds, who finds ways to engage young readers with stories in verse

Author Jason Reynolds is not only getting kids to read, he invites them to join him in a new way to talk about anger and humanity. He visits Portage on March 18.

Face Off: Where one can sing, take a deep look at social activism, or examine a rigged school system

This season Face Off Theatre productions in Kalamazoo will show youth and others that "you can fix the problems in your community just as well as anyone else." 

Latin American music from classical to traditional is in the spotlight at three upcoming events

Two Kalamazoo concerts and one in Battle Creek will challenge what listeners think they know about Latin American music.

Eastside Voices: Oral history project captures neighborhood stories for book and video

Remembering the Eastside's past and looking ahead to its future come together in the oral history project "Eastside Voices."

All Ears Theatre harnesses the power of imagination to draw in listeners

As All Ears Theatre enters its 19th year it still knows how create a whole world in your head through sound.

Big ideas: Can art galleries and collections preserve history and be relevant to today’s audiences?

As the end of the Black Refractions exhibit at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts nears Dec. 8, leaders discuss the roles of art galleries and collections in today's culture.

KIA’s Black Refractions exhibit tells a shared story of complex people living in a complex place

Black Refractions is the kind of exhibit that takes more than one visit to take it all in. Second Wave's Mark Wedel and Rehema Barber, the KIA's new chief curator, reflect on the pieces that evoke deep responses from them. 

Day of the Dead observances grow in Kalamazoo as more understand traditions behind the celebrations

A Mexican tradition of welcoming the spirits of departed loved ones will take place at Art Hop Nov. 1 and the Kalamazoo County Expo Center on Nov. 2. 

Can four Kalamazoo-area nonprofits working together improve services to those they assist?

A plan two-years in the making has come together. Now four organizations that help adults and children reach their potential in the Kalamazoo area are working with one another.

Ride of 275 miles from Great Lake to Great Lake draws the biking faithful

The Great Lake-to-Lake Trails plan includes five routes through both peninsulas, linking the big Lakes. So far, Trail #1 is about 70 percent trail. And 70 people recently took the first ride on the 275-mile route.

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