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Kalamazoo spoken word duo Kinetic Affect to release live album, gears up for Apollo gig

2009-09-17T19:00:37Z

Courtesy of Kinetic AffectGabriel Giron, left, and Kirk Latimer will release their new CD Friday. KALAMAZOO -- When I called Gabriel Giron and Kirk Latimer of the local spoken word duo Kinetic Affect to find out about the new CD,...

Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi: Portland's Stolen Sweets pay homage to Boswell Sisters, Cab Calloway with new album

2009-09-17T18:00:32Z

The members of the Stolen Sweets are, from left, Pete Krebs, Lara Michell, Jen Bernard, David Langenes, Erin Sutherland and Keith Brush. KALAMAZOO -- Before that epic moment in my life when I cleared the 5-foot-tall mark, I watched the...

It'll be pretty, my pretties: Celebrate the 'Wizard of Oz' turning 70 in high-def at Kalamazoo 10

2009-09-17T17:00:28Z

"Wizard of Oz" will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a high-def screening Sept. 23. KALAMAZOO -- To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the "Wizard of Oz," Warner Bros. will be releasing it next week to theaters around the country, including...

Herd on the Street

2009-09-17T16:13:30Z

"(Deep sigh) Dang it." -- Said by an annoyed hipster as he tried to cram money into one of the many tiny pocket on his skin-tight pants while holding a glass of beer at The Strutt last week. He...

Will Nervous But Excited's "Anchors" start a green-album revolution? Duo hopes so

2009-09-03T16:00:25Z

The members of Nervous But Excited are, from left, Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver. KALAMAZOO -- Every musician invests a lot of time in a full-length album, but add the mission of making it 100 percent carbon neutral and you've...

Herd on the Street

2009-09-03T14:48:03Z

"You guys do such a great job, I want to have my funeral here. If it looks this good out here, I'll be OK." -- Said by an impressed older man to a younger man, who was cutting the...

Meet the substitute teacher

2009-07-23T13:15:00Z

Hi, I'm Mark Wedel. John Liberty is away making life-altering commitments. In his place is Mark Wedel....

Prepare thy neck for a head-slammin' night of hard rock

2009-07-23T11:15:00Z

KALAMAZOO -- Fans of late-'90s style metal/funk/rap of the Insane Clown Posse and Limp Bizkit variety are in luck -- The Jonze will be back together, a one-night reunion Saturday at Papa Pete's....

Let's do this, Rufus

2009-07-23T11:00:00Z

John Liberty may be gone, but his quest continues. He wants to bring Rufus Wainwright to Kalamazoo for a performance. Rufus tally: 595 days....

Punk-country music for those wandering that lonely road

2009-07-23T10:30:00Z

ON THE WEB • Riviera Theatre • www.myspace.com/jasonandthepunknecks THREE RIVERS -- Sounds like a country song: "It's kinda weird being a tattooed-face guy in a honky-tonk world." Jason Punkneck told his story from a stop in Wichita, Kan. In backwoods...

Herd on the Street

2009-07-16T15:06:37Z

"It's an official piece of crap." -- Said by a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer to a group of patrons at Harvey's on the Mall last weekend after he was asked if the bicycle he used to patrol...

Wanting Rufus Wainwright ... still

2009-07-16T14:57:45Z

I'd like to thank Dennis, a local man who dropped off a copy of Monday's New York Times that featured a review of Rufus Wainwright's new opera, "Prima Donna," which opened in Manchester, England, over the weekend. NYT reviewer Anthony...

Michigan Peace Fest organizer ratcheting up his ranch

2009-07-04T16:00:42Z

Courtesy of Bim WillowFestival-goers party during the Michigan Peace Festival in Lacota two years ago. LACOTA -- Bim Willow, whose real name is Larry Schackow, a nationally known expert in making furniture and sculptures out of willow-tree branches, has big...

Twin sisters of The Mickeys to perform last concert before maternity leave

2009-07-02T21:00:03Z

Jonathon Gruenke / GazetteJulie Peebles and Amy Sherman. PAW PAW -- Amy Sherman and Julie Peebles, frontwomen of the Kalamazoo folk band The Mickeys, like many twins, are close. So it shouldn't shock many to learn why the last time...

A.B! & Coconut Brown talk social concerns, space travel

2009-07-02T20:30:44Z

The members of A.B! and Coconut Brown are from left, Rhythm Rod, Cool Work, J Burns, Biggie G and A.B! KALAMAZOO -- MC Adrian Butler, the frontman for the Grand Rapids hip-hop/funk band A.B! & Coconut Brown, was raised on...

Herd on the Street

2009-07-02T17:34:39Z

"I never knew Kalamazoo was such a city," -- Said by one college-age woman to her two companions before crossing West Michigan Avenue toward a dining destination in downtown Kalamazoo June 19. The woman was surprised by Kalamazoo's nightlife....

Chicago's Andrew Bird to perform at the Kalamazoo State Theatre Oct. 18, tickets on sale July 10

2009-06-30T19:34:22Z

KALAMAZOO -- Chicago's Andrew Bird will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the State Theatre, according to a press release from the Kalamazoo venue. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. July 10. They are $27 and...

GREAT LISTENING ROOM: Boogie on down to The Strutt for its monthly 'little, weird show'

2009-06-18T16:00:13Z

Jonathon Gruenke / Kalamazoo GazetteKalamazoo folk singer Michael Beauchamp started the monthly series, Boogie Records Revival Night, at The Strutt in the fall. KALAMAZOO -- If you need more proof that The Strutt, 773 W. Michigan Ave., is becoming one...

NEVER, EVER SHAKE THE DADDY: Local film-makers hold auditions next weekend for comedy

2009-06-18T14:00:52Z

Courtesy of Campaign PicturesFrom left, producer Greg Green, writer Josh Marting and director Kevin Park will be holding auditions June 27-28 for their full-length comedy, "Shaken Daddy Syndrome." KALAMAZOO -- Local filmmakers are looking for actors and crew members for...

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT QUEST

2009-06-18T11:30:08Z

Knock, knock. Who's there? Rufus Wainwright. What's he doing there? He's supposed to be coming to Kalamazoo. At least, that's my hope. The quest continues. Rufus tally: 560 days....