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Local stories hit the big screen at Kalamazoo Film Society’s fourth annual showcase

The event features mostly filmmakers from Kalamazoo and the surrounding region, with films shot in — and in some cases about — the city itself. One of the featured filmmakers, Jerod Kauffman, created a documentary about the final days of the longtime dive bar Harvey’s on the Mall, which closed after a buyout. Kauffman said he wanted to capture the story of a place that helped define Kalamazoo’s nightlife culture. “The closure was sudden to everyone — the community and staff — so I wanted to immortalize a place that was loved by so many,” Kauffman wrote to Watershed Voice. “I saw a fence and bulldozer outside the building today on the way to work. I think it's going to be torn down, so I am happy I was able to capture a piece of Kalamazoo history and the bar that stood and served the community for 40+ years.”

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Sturgis Civic Players to present “Anne of Green Gables” March 20–22 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts

Directed by Elizabeth Smith of Sturgis and adapted from one of the best-selling books in the world, Anne of Green Gables follows Anne Shirley’s journey from a mischievous girl to a young woman, exploring themes of imagination, belonging, and family. This production spans six years of Anne’s life — from her arrival in Avonlea as a 12-year-old to her young adulthood at 18 as she prepares to set out on her own. The production highlights many of the story’s most beloved moments.

Rapid fire film festival Kazoo 48 returns for its seventh year

Designed to introduce people to filmmaking while also challenging experienced creators, Kazoo 48 gives teams 48 hours to complete a short film between one and six minutes long. Each team must incorporate an assigned genre, line of dialogue, character, location, and prop into their film.  Once completed, the films are judged by a panel of local talent. Awards include prizes for best use of an assigned item and the festival’s signature award — a gold engraved kazoo — presented to the best films in both the amateur and professional categories.

Three Rivers High School students to bring the world of “The Little Mermaid” to life onstage

About 35 students are involved in the production this year, director Jennifer Miller said, filling roles both onstage and behind the scenes. Some students perform as actors, singers and dancers, while others manage technical elements such as sound, lighting and props. “What I love is how diverse their contributions are,” Miller wrote. “It’s a whole ecosystem of student talent, and everybody has found a place where they belong.”

NYT bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt to keynote inaugural literary arts festival in Vicksburg

Kimm Mayer, planning committee lead, said establishing the festival is important because “it makes reading and literacy accessible to everybody by introducing people to authors and activities in a fun and relaxed environment.” She added that the festival complements the arts community in Southwest Michigan and could impact literacy in the region while promoting tourism.

From rural midwest poetry to a French residency, how Aubrey Barnes continues to share his uncompromising voice

Barnes, who has previously performed at the Watershed Voice Artist Showcase in Three Rivers and had several works published by the news and culture magazine, was recently awarded a writing residency at Chateau Orquevaux in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. He described the experience as life-changing. “The artists — writers, painters and other creatives — would gather. We walked together, explored the grounds, shared our art, cried, laughed and built deep bonds quickly. It was transformative.”

Charles Thomas: Maybe it’s not too late

Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, "Most of us have at least a few dreams that have been deferred. For you, it might not be a degree you dream of but starting a business or having another romantic relationship. You could have a dream about becoming a non-smoker or to find more meaningful work. Whatever your dream is, you may be thinking that it’s too late to achieve it. But consider this: what if you’re wrong?"

David Munoz: A Latino story of persistence and generational stability

At 21, David Munoz, a lifelong Sturgis resident, is a father of two and the son of first-generation Mexican immigrants. Both of Munoz's parents made sacrifices to build a new life in Sturgis. His father worked long hours as a welder; his mother raised three children while navigating a new country with limited resources. They never owned a home. They never took a vacation. But they gave their son something more enduring, a sense of purpose.

Fifth annual artist showcase blends joy, vulnerability, and community

"Each artist produces and shares from a deeply personal space. These types of intentional interactions foster deeper connections and community," Aundrea Sayrie said in a statement after the event.

Three Rivers Public Library ends fiscal year with $254K surplus amid busy summer season

The figures, discussed at Tuesday’s board meeting, reflect a nearly 19% increase in total assets over the past year, alongside a 16.9% increase in surplus compared to the prior fiscal year.

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