Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in May

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in May. Highlights include meditation classes, Middle Eastern drumming, art exhibits, family concerts and a performance by the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Opportunities to get globally engaged are published weekly at wmich.edu/global/events by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

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May 2018 opportunities

Tuesday, May 1

• "Establishing a Daily Spiritual Practice" class—7 to 8:30 p.m. at The People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. Learn Tibetan Buddhist meditative techniques including concentration, contemplative analysis, visualization, mantras and prayer applied daily in a structured format. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 2

• Healthy Living Conference—8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College of Health and Human Services Building, hosted by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Half-day conference with keynote speaker Dr. Hal Jenson, dean of the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, who will bring participants up to date on the practice of modern medicine. Registration is $30. 

Saturday, May 5

• Spanish Harlem Orchestra—8 p.m. at Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, hosted by the Gilmore Keyboard Festival. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is a two-time Grammy Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band. Tickets are $65, $45, and $25; reserved seating. 

Sunday, May 6

• Middle Eastern Drumming—1 to 3 p.m. at Bellydance Kalamaoo, 1350 Portage Road, hosted by Bellydance Kalamazoo. This workshop is focused on teaching dancers to integrate their understanding of Middle Eastern rhythms utilizing the drum. Registration is $55. 

Tuesday, May 8

• "Establishing a Daily Spiritual Practice" class—7 to 8:30 p.m. at The People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. Learn Tibetan Buddhist meditative techniques including concentration, contemplative analysis, visualization, mantras and prayer applied daily in a structured format. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 9

• "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" talk—2 p.m. in the Heining Emeriti Lounge in West Walwood Hall, hosted by the Emeriti Council. The talk will be given by Dr. Helenan Robin, professor emerita of political science at WMU. Free and open to the public. 
• Igor Levit, 2018 Gilmore Artist concert—2 p.m. at Stetson Chapel, 1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Gilmore Keyboard Festival. Igor Levit, the 2018 Gilmore Artist Recipient, makes his debut Festival recital. A pre-concert talk at 1 p.m. will be led by Zaide Pixley. Tickets are $30; open to the public. 

Thursday, May 10

• "Red Terror in Kalamazoo: An Incident in the Shakespeare Strike of 1948" lecture—7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch Van Deusen Room, 315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Local historian Tom Dietz will recount the story of the 1948 Shakespeare Company workers strike. Free and open to the public. 

Tuesday, May 15

• "Establishing a Daily Spiritual Practice" class—7 to 8:30 p.m. at The People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. Learn Tibetan Buddhist meditative techniques including concentration, contemplative analysis, visualization, mantras and prayer applied daily in a structured format. Free and open to the public.

Friday, May 18

• Stulberg International String Competition—9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, hosted by the Stulberg International String Competition. Twelve semifinalists from around the world will compete for a chance to win cash prizes and performance opportunities. Daytime semifinals free; evening finals $20 for adults and $5 for students. 

Sunday, May 20

• "Vibrant Bounty: Chinese Folk Art From the Shaanxi Region" public tour—2 to 3 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts galleries, 315 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Tour the beautiful Vibrant Bounty: Chinese Folk Art from the Shaanxi Region with a knowledgeable docent. Free and open to the public. 

Monday, May 21

• "Michigan, My Michigan: A History of the State- British Control to Territorial Michigan" discussion—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Van Deusen Room, 315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Join Lynn Houghton for a multi-session journey looking at all aspects of Michigan's growth. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, May 22

• Reading Race Book Group—6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch Barnabee Gallery, 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. This book group, co-sponsored by the Society for History and Racial Equity—SHARE—and KPL's Anti-Racism Transformation Team, which focuses on race and racism in American society. Free and open to the public. 

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.