Home
Jazz went fearless, strange, and brilliant at the Gilmore Finale — and Kalamazoo loved it
At the Gilmore Piano Festival finale in Kalamazoo, Grammy-winning pianist Sullivan Fortner and fellow jazz innovators delivered a daring, emotionally charged performance that proved the city’s audience is sophisticated enough to embrace adventurous modern jazz.
Latest stories
Southwest Michigan travelers are skipping airport parking thanks to this startup
South Haven entrepreneur Max Gleiss is growing Max Transportation into a trusted Southwest Michigan travel service, offering stress-free airport rides, tours, and event transportation while earning support from the South Haven Regional Business Hub.
Jazz went fearless, strange, and brilliant at the Gilmore Finale — and Kalamazoo loved it
At the Gilmore Piano Festival finale in Kalamazoo, Grammy-winning pianist Sullivan Fortner and fellow jazz innovators delivered a daring, emotionally charged performance that proved the city’s audience is sophisticated enough to embrace adventurous modern jazz.
House show or hair show? Inside Kalamazoo’s ‘secret’ salon concert scene
A downtown Kalamazoo hair salon is transforming into an intimate monthly live music venue, where Trim Salon owner Patti Ann McNulty hosts folk and Americana concerts in a uniquely DIY community space.
At Kalamazoo’s Stulberg Competition, audiences fall in love with the future of music
The 51st annual Stulberg International String Competition returns to Kalamazoo May 15–17, 2026, featuring elite young string musicians from five
countries and marking a new era under Executive Director Garret Jones.
Battle Creek woman turns healing journey into New Eden Microgreens
After overcoming a life-threatening illness, Battle Creek entrepreneur Nicole Hart launched New Eden Microgreens with support from local business organizations, bringing fresh, health-focused products to stores and restaurants across Southwest Michigan.
Local Realtors urged to explore how they can help when it comes to answering the housing crisis
Can Realtors be part of the solution when it comes to solving the housing crisis? One local Realtor urges her collegues to find a way.
The Village Network of Battle Creek dissolves as an organization
The Village Network of Battle Creek is dissolving after helping direct more than $1.25 million to BIPOC-led organizations and entrepreneurs, saying its mission to build community-led economic justice networks has successfully created lasting local momentum.
Brick-and-mortar businesses get boost with new Kalamazoo training program
A new six-week Storefront Growth Lab in downtown Kalamazoo will help Southwest Michigan retail, restaurant, and service business owners improve profits, marketing, operations, and long-term growth through hands-on coaching and peer collaboration.
Battle Creek volunteer Kathy Antaya: Advocate and champion for people who are poor or discriminated against
Through community gardening, Kathy Antaya became involved in equity and racial healing initiatives. “I’m a full-time volunteer and community activist,” she says.
Kalamazoo Choral Arts and Queer Chorus of Kalamazoo join voices for a powerful choral tribute to healing and hope
Kalamazoo Choral Arts and the Queer Chorus of Kalamazoo present “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a powerful choral performance that transforms tragedy into a message of remembrance, community, and hope.
Kalamazoo asks residents to take a close, personal look at streets on walking audit for ‘Design It! Downtown’
A lively Downtown Kalamazoo walking audit highlights community-driven ideas and upcoming “Streets for All” improvements aimed at creating a safer, more welcoming, and pedestrian-friendly city center.
Voices of Youth: ‘You’re not really learning’ — AI raises concerns about cheating and critical thinking
High school students and educators in Kalamazoo warn that growing reliance on artificial intelligence tools in classrooms may undermine critical thinking, encourage cheating, and impact creativity and mental health.
A publication of
Issue Media Group is a multi-local network of digital news outlets focused on community transformation through solutions journalism. We highlight the people and projects tackling challenges and driving change. Through its national, regional and local publications, IMG connects communities, shares impactful solutions, and inspires progress.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. Have a question? Contact us or review our privacy policy for more information.
Solutions that work, from communities like yours. Explore innovative stories from across our network showcasing how neighborhoods are solving today’s challenges together.
- How startup Vanly is mapping the future of life on the road
- Would a $1 rideshare fee affect wealthier or working-class Philadelphians more? 2 Chicago studies offer some perspective
- This Michigan nonprofit is brewing success for immigrant entrepreneurs
- Near this city’s new green spaces, a dramatic reduction in crime
- We studied what happened when financially struggling artists received $1,000 a month, no strings attached, for 18 months
- The people behind the system: How community boards shape mental health care
- From classroom to call ready, this high school fire academy prepares students for the future
- Is it wrong to pay incarcerated people in jail? This Pennsylvania county says no
- Michigan Food Club Network names leader to expand innovative model
- Parents are first teachers, and, with resources, they can be the best teachers
Top 5 Articles
1
House show or hair show? Inside Kalamazoo’s ‘secret’ salon concert scene
2
Jazz went fearless, strange, and brilliant at the Gilmore Finale — and Kalamazoo loved it
3
Battle Creek woman turns healing journey into New Eden Microgreens
4
At Kalamazoo’s Stulberg Competition, audiences fall in love with the future of music
5
Local Realtors urged to explore how they can help when it comes to answering the housing crisis
Support independent journalism in Southwest Michigan
Second Wave Michigan is a local digital media outlet covering neighborhoods, small business and entrepreneurship, arts and culture, health, sustainability, talent, and social innovation.
