Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in June

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in June. Highlights include Tai Chi and dance classes, CELCIS conversation circles, and global talks at the Kalamazoo Public Library.

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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June 2018 opportunities

Friday, June 1

• 2018 KIA Arts Fair—3 to 8 p.m. in Bronson Park, 200 W. South St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Nearly 190 jury-selected artists from across the country will offer beautiful artwork in Bronson Park. Free and open to the public. 
• Art Hop—5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Kalamazoo, hosted by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. An evening of art exhibits and events held on the first Friday of every month. Free and open to the public.
• History Untold: The Famine in the Ukraine—the Ukrainian Holodomor of 1933—5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch, 315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Andrew Koehler, music director of the Kalamazoo Philharmonia, associate professor of music and chair of the Kalamazoo College Music Department, will lead a discussion and lecture about the untold tragedy of the 1933 Ukrainian Holodomor, during which millions of Ukrainians perished needlessly on Stalin's orders. Free; registration required.

Saturday, June 2

• 2018 KIA Arts Fair—9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Bronson Park, 200 W. South St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Nearly 190 jury-selected artists from across the country will offer beautiful artwork in Bronson Park. Free and open to the public. 

• Tai Chi class—2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn Tai Chi in a class for all ages. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public. 

Monday, June 4

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• Afro-Modern dance class—5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn the basics of Afro-Modern dance. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.
• Argentine Tango—6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Kick off summer reading with Art Downey from Kalamazoo DanceSport. Learn the basics of the Argentine Tango while enjoying good company. Free; registration required.

Tuesday, June 5

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• "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.

Saturday, June 9

• Tai Chi class—2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn Tai Chi in a class for all ages. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.

Monday, June 11

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• Afro-Modern dance class—5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn the basics of Afro-Modern dance. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.

Tuesday, June 12

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• "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, June 15

• Pride Night at the Kalamazoo Growlers—6 to 9:30 p.m. at Homer Stryker Field, 251 Mills St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Growlers and OutFront Kalamazoo. Use the code "kzoopride." Proceeds will benefit OutFront Kalamazoo. The first 100 people through the gates will receive rainbow swag from Bell's Brewery. Includes a tailgate party and post-game fireworks. Tickets are $17; open to the public.

Saturday, June 16

• Tai Chi class—2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn Tai Chi in a class for all ages. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public. 

Sunday, June 17

• Historical tours and speaker series—2 p.m. at the Celery Flats, 7335 Garden Lane, Portage. Learn about local leaders in the suffrage movement, which operated out of West Michigan. Free and open to the public.

Monday, June 18

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• Afro-Modern dance class—5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn the basics of Afro-Modern dance. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.
• "Let's talk about Puerto Rico" discussion—6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Dr. Adriana Garriga-López, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Kalamazoo College, will talk about the history of Puerto Rico and the situation on the island today, nearly nine months after Hurricane Maria. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, June 19

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• "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.

Saturday, June 23

• Tai Chi class—2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn Tai Chi in a class for all ages. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.

Sunday, June 24

• "Global Glass" Sunday tour—2 to 3 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the KIA. The history of glass is an international story of industrial, scientific and artistic contributions forging a diversity of achievements both functional and sculptural. Free and open to the public.

Monday, June 25

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• Afro-Modern dance class—5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn the basics of Afro-Modern dance. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.

Tuesday, June 26

• CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
• "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.

Thursday, June 28

• Global Glass: A Survey of Form and Function, opening reception—5 to 8 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S Park St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the KIA. Visit the new Global Glass: A Survey of Form and Function exhibition, which runs June 23 through Oct. 14, and enjoy refreshments and a curator's talk by Don Desmett. Free and open to the public. 

Saturday, June 30

• Tai Chi class—2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Work with an instructor to learn Tai Chi in a class for all ages. The first class is free; cost is $10 per class thereafter. This event is open to the public.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.