Kalamazoo, MI

Located in Southwest Michigan, the city of Kalamazoo offers a mixture of urban and natural environments. The city is approximately two hours from Chicago and offers dining, shops, galleries, lakes, and outdoor recreation areas. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is home to Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. It has two women’s professional sports teams: West Michigan Mayhem Women’s Tackle Football and Kalamazoo Outrage Women’s Soccer. Kalamazoo’s name is Native American, and the meaning is often disputed. Some people think it means “the mirage of reflecting river” while others believe it to be “bubbling” or “boiling water”. Top attractions in the city are Air Zoo, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Gilmore Car Museum, and Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Annual Kalamazoo events include Kalamazoo Ribfest, Kalamazoo County Fair, Kalamazoo Blues Festival, Black Arts Festival, and Restaurant Week.

Wednesday, February 25th 2026

12:00pm
Pointe Shoe Appointments - Wednesday 2/25/26

No appointment is needed for in-person shopping today (except for pointe shoes). If you would like to fill in the information below, it is often helpful for us to prepare…

The Station: Dancewear and Studio Rental
169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Thursday, February 26th 2026

12:00pm
Pointe Shoe Appointments - Thursday 2/26/26

No appointment is needed for in-person shopping today (except for pointe shoes). If you would like to fill in the information below, it is often helpful for us to prepare…

The Station: Dancewear and Studio Rental
169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Friday, February 27th 2026

12:00pm
Pointe Shoe Appointments - Friday 2/27/26

No appointment is needed for in-person shopping today (except for pointe shoes). If you would like to fill in the information below, it is often helpful for us to prepare…

The Station: Dancewear and Studio Rental
169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Saturday, February 28th 2026

10:00am
Pointe Shoe Appointments - Saturday 2/28/26

No appointment is needed for in-person shopping today (except for pointe shoes). If you would like to fill in the information below, it is often helpful for us to prepare…

The Station: Dancewear and Studio Rental
169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Friday, March 13th 2026

2:00pm
300 Years, 88 Keys and 11 Days with Dr. Zaide Pixley, Musicologist

With an enormous range of genres and styles ranging from Bach to Beethoven, Pauline Viardot to Steve Reich, the repertoire for the piano is vast: 300 years and counting! Join…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
333 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Thursday, April 9th 2026

2:00pm
Pianos, Programming and Decision-making

Piano Technician D Marie Jones will discuss the complex and fascinating process that goes into determining which of The Gilmore’s fleet of Steinway pianos is chosen for each performance and…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
333 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Sunday, April 19th 2026

2:00pm
Book Discussion - Moscow Nights with hosts Judy Sarkozy WMUK's Cara Lieurance

Read and discuss the gripping narrative nonfiction that tells the dramatic story of a remarkable young Texan pianist, Van Cliburn, who played his way through the wall of fear built…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
333 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Friday, April 24th 2026

7:30pm
Joshua Bell

Joshua Bell, violin
Shai Wosner, piano

Before the 2026 Gilmore Festival officially kicks off, celebrated violinist Joshua Bell returns to Kalamazoo for a special recital program with pianist Shai Wosner, previously…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
714 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Tuesday, April 28th 2026

12:00pm
Flim: Murray Perahia: Not of This World

After over thirty years on the concert stage, the pianist Murray Perahia has himself become a legend, one of the most sought-after pianists of our time. This film is not…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Wednesday, April 29th 2026

12:00pm
Flim: Pianoforte

At the beginning of the eliminations, there are 160 of them. 80 enter the competition, and only twelve will advance to the final. The heroes of PIANOFORTE are the participants…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
7:30pm
Bob Mervak: Gilmore After Dark

The party doesn’t stop after Gilmore Festival concerts end! Throughout this year’s Festival, keep the music going long into the night with Gilmore After Dark events at Crawlspace Theatre. Grab…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
315 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Thursday, April 30th 2026

12:00pm
Flim: Oscar Peterson: Black + White

Oscar Peterson: Black + White is a ground-breaking “docu-concert” that deeply explores the life and legacy of jazz icon and composer, Oscar Peterson: his sound, stardom, and cult of virtuoso.…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
6:00pm
Opening Night: Sullivan Fortner "Solo Game"

The evening will begin with a celebratory dinner honoring Larry J. Bell at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, followed by a rare and captivating solo performance by 2026 Larry J.…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
314 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Friday, May 1st 2026

12:00pm
Flim: Van Cliburn: Concert Pianist. Film by Peter Rosen

Peter Rosen walks in the footsteps of American pianist Harvey Lavan “Van” Cliburn, who—at the height of the Cold War—took first prize at the inaugural edition of the Tchaikovsky Competition…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
230 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
2:00pm
A Conversation with Sean Hickey

A true multihyphenate, Sean Hickey is an active composer and arranger, an instrumentalist, and a record label executive, currently serving as Managing Director of Pentatone Music, one of the world’s…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
7:00pm
From Cliburn to Kantorow: A Celebration of Tchaikovsky

Julian Kuerti, conductor  |  Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Lattanzi, baritone  |  Stanislav Khristenko, piano

Alexandre Kantorow, 2024 Gilmore Artist, piano

American pianist Van Cliburn instantly shot to superstardom after winning the inaugural…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
714 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Saturday, May 2nd 2026

2:00pm
Right in the Eye - Family Concert

A feast for the senses, Right in the Eye combines 12 short silent films by pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès — bursting with jaw-dropping special effects — with musical virtuosity,…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
714 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
4:00pm
Cyrus Chestnut Trio

A gifted and innovative jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut possesses a soulful style that fuses gospel, classical music, and straight-ahead jazz. With two musical parents who were involved in the church,…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
7:00pm
Cyrus Chestnut Trio

A gifted and innovative jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut possesses a soulful style that fuses gospel, classical music, and straight-ahead jazz. With two musical parents who were involved in the church,…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
8:00pm
Alexandre Kantorow, 2024 Gilmore Artist

The day after performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, 2024 Gilmore Artist Alexandre Kantorow returns to give a solo recital, showcasing his varied repertoire. Anchoring…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
714 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Sunday, May 3rd 2026

12:30pm
Baby Grands with Heitzig and Jones

A gifted and innovative jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut possesses a soulful style that fuses gospel, classical music, and straight-ahead jazz. With two musical parents who were involved in the church,…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
345 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
2:00pm
Cameron Carpenter

In a rare performance by an organist at The Gilmore, Cameron Carpenter demonstrates the versatility and dramatic power of his chosen instrument. Committed to expanding the repertoire for the organ,…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
7:30pm
Richard Goode

GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Richard Goode is internationally renowned for his interpretations of Classical and Romantic music. His 10-disc recording of Beethoven’s complete piano sonatas remains a benchmark in the industry.…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
1300 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Monday, May 4th 2026

2:00pm
Stewart Goodyear

Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear possesses a huge, dramatic sound, an elegant technique, and an omnivorous approach to keyboard music. Goodyear has attracted particular attention for his Beethoven “Sonatathons,” a term…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
1300 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
7:30pm
Brad Mehldau & Kirill Gerstein in Dialogue

Grammy Award–winning pianist and composer Brad Mehldau has long bridged musical worlds, shaping modern jazz with performances that blend intellect, emotion, and structure. 2010 Gilmore Artist Kirill Gerstein, equally at…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
1300 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Tuesday, May 5th 2026

12:00pm
2026 Bell Young Artist Esteban Castro Trio

2026 Bell Young Artist Esteban Castro began playing piano at age 4 and at 13, became the youngest-ever First Prize Winner at the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition. Castro is…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
2:00pm
Eighth Blackbird

Lina Andonovska, flutes | Maiani da Silva, violin | Matthew Duvall, percussion | Zachary Good, clarinets | Lisa Kaplan, piano | Aaron Wolff, cello

Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning contemporary music sextet Eighth…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
1300 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
5:00pm
Kandace Springs

Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, jazz pianist and singer Kandace Springs’s natural gifts for lyricism and soulfulness have propelled her to some of the world’s biggest stages. She has performed alongside…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
1351 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49006
8:00pm
Kandace Springs

Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, jazz pianist and singer Kandace Springs’s natural gifts for lyricism and soulfulness have propelled her to some of the world’s biggest stages. She has performed alongside…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
1351 Theatre Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Wednesday, May 6th 2026

12:00pm
2026 Bell Young Artist Tyler Bullock Trio

2026 Bell Young Artist Tyler Bullock is the regular pianist for the Roy Hargrove Big Band, and with collaborations with Samara Joy, Sean Jones, and Dee Dee Bridgewater already under…

Gilmore International Piano Festival
329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
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