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

Streaming, rescheduling, refunds: 2020 Gilmore Keyboard Festival pulls out the contingency plans

When you are planning one of the region's biggest events it's common to plan for all kinds of contingencies. A novel coronavirus isn't usually one of them. Here's how the Gilmore Keyboard Festival is adjusting to the new reality.

Kalamazoo’s Art Hop and other arts events ask audiences to catch them online

In a time when audiences can't come to Kalamazoo arts organizations the arts groups come to the audiences by moving events online.

Now more than ever, everyone needs to read, says the Kalamazoo Literacy Council

Literacy is at the root of healthcare, says Michael Evans, executive director of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. And they are working to give learners the tools they need during a pandemic. 

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. 

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