KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — It’s a busy weekend around Kalamazoo. Here is just a small snapshot of events to enjoy.
October Art Hop:
Another Kalamazoo Art Hop kicks off today, but for the first time there’s more than just art around downtown.
Art Council’s Beth McCann says Art Hop attendees can start off in Portage at the Celery Flats for a free early preview of the Recycled Art in the Park.
Art Hop kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday with music in Bronson Park and pieces all over the Kalamazoo Mall, the Epic Center, and several other neighborhoods and streets throughout the city.
Dine outside: Bates Alley opens
A pedestrian-friendly area to dine, shop, and hang out is opening up in downtown Kalamazoo.
The once not-so-pretty Bates Alley behind businesses along East Michigan Avenue between Portage and Edwards Streets is now a happening area for the Kalamazoo community.
It has been transformed with string lights, local art, and patio seating.
Restaurant owners can now provide outdoor seating to their customers.
A lighting ceremony, live music, and more will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday behind the businesses in the 200 block of East Michigan Avenue.
The project was crowd funded and then matched by an investment from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Let’s Ride: Homecoming Week at WMU:
It’s Homecoming Week at WMU! The Western Michigan University takes on Eastern Michigan University Saturday with kickoff at noon.
It’s also Youth Day with pregame activities, ticket deals, food and more before the game.
Let the games begin: New E-sports arena at WMU:
Western Michigan University has turned the Little Theatre on West Campus into a video gaming arena, and they plan a grand opening from noon to 2 p.m. Friday as part of Homecoming weekend.
They call it E-sports. Instead of strapping on pads or slipping on sneakers, some collegiate competitors are now doing battle on a virtual playing field, and doing it in front of spectators.
The E Sports facility at WMU has 36-gaming machines with all the special keyboards and mice, high resolution screens and ergonomic chairs.
A dozen of them are hooked up to bigger monitors that can be viewed by the audience in the venerable campus theatre, with an enhanced sound system and lighting.
