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Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in December

Contact: Raine Kuch
December 3, 2018

View of Sprau Tower surrounded by snow-covered trees.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in December. Highlights include West African drumming classes, Kalamazoo Institute of Art tours and the Rootead Youth Dance Showcase.

Opportunities to get globally engaged are published weekly online by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

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December 2018

Saturday, December 1

  • Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World—Dec. 1 to Jan. 6 at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the Fredrik Meijer Gardens. Excitement surrounds the holiday season as the annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition brings the glow of nearly 400,000 lights, strolling carolers, rooftop reindeer and 42 international trees and displays. Regular admission applies.
  • Annual European Christmas Bazaar—10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Latvian Association, 100 Cherryhill St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Latvian Association. Inspired by the Christmas Market in Riga, Latvia that began in the 16th Century, the European Christmas Bazaar brings a cherished Latvian tradition with local charm to Kalamazoo. Free.
  • Interfaith Homes Winter Clothing Drive—10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Interfaith Neighborhood Networks Center, 1037 Interfaith Blvd, hosted by the Interfaith Neighborhood Networks Center. Interfaith Homes houses over 200 low income children and their families. We are collecting new and gently used winter clothing to keep them warm this winter. 

Monday, December 3

  • "Yuanliang Sun: Landscape Restructured" art exhibit—10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richmond Center Netzorg and Kerr Permanent Collection Gallery, hosted by the Gwen Frostic School of Art. Landscape Restructured explores the cultural transformation of modern-day China and the hidden side of globalization, with an emphasis on the country's air pollution problems. Free
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Global Lounge, 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.
  • "Mid-Continent Rift of North America," Seminar Series—4 to 5 p.m. at 1118 Rood Hall, hosted by the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. Seminar will be led by Dr. Carol Stein from University of Illinois-Chicago. Free.

Tuesday, December 4

  • "The Black Death and its Influence on the Renaissance," ARTBreak Talk—noon at the Kalamazoo  Institute of Arts (KIA),  435 W South St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the KIA. Dr. James Carter, retired physician and KIA Docent will discuss the disease itself, how its devastation affected medieval society, and the art that was created in reaction to the pandemic. Regular admission rates apply. 
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Global Lounge, 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.
  • Movement for the Movement—2 to 4 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch, 315 S Rose St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. This workshop will help participants rebalance their nervous system in order to downshift from the common stress responses that come with being an organizational and community leader. Free

Wednesday, December 5

  • "Nutrition Paradigms of three World Cultures," lecture—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College. This talk is part of the Lee Honors College Lyceum Lecture series focusing on sustainability in food and access to nutrition. free.
  • 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.
  • West African Drum Classes—6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Rootead, 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Taught by master drummer Kevin Jones. $15 drop in, $10 for students. 

Thursday, December 6

Friday, December 7

  • "Restoring Plant-Microbe Interactions," biological sciences seminar series—3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1710 Wood Hall, hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences. Seminar will be led by Dr. Jonathan Bauer from Miami University. Free.
  • Chinese Language Tables—noon to 1 p.m. in the Bernhard Center lower-level dining area, hosted by the Confucius Institute at WMU. Chinese Language Table's offer a free opportunity  to practice Chinese skills by easy conversations  and interesting activities. Free
  • Pre-Kwanzaa Bazaar—5 to 8 p.m. at the Black Arts & Cultural Center, 359 S Kalamazoo St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Black Arts & Cultural Center. Enjoy the Pre-Kwanzaa Bazaar featuring food, vendors, music, live performances, activities and a screening of the Kwanzaa documentary “The Black Candle” for the entire community. Free, RSVP required.

Saturday, December 8

  • Ice-Skating with the International Student Activities—1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Lawson Ice Arena, hosted by International Student Activities. Join the International Student Activities team for an afternoon of ice skating and winter treats. Whether you are an expert or a beginner at ice skating this classic winter activity its worth to try! Free to students who sign up before Dec. 5. 

Sunday, December 9

  • "Noel: Christmas Around the World" Concert—3 p.m. at the Pennfield Performing Arts Center, 8299 Pennfield Road, Battle Creek, hosted by Cereal City Concert Band. Enjoy listening to Russian Christmas Music, Suite from The Nutcracker, C’Est Noel!, A Calypso Christmas, An Irving Berlin Christmas, Patapan and much more! $5 for senior and students: $10 for adults. 

Wednesday, December 12

Saturday, December 15

  • Rootead in Youth Dance Showcase—6 p.m. at the Douglass Community Center, 1000 W Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Come witness our youth dance and celebrate culture. All proceeds help with the Youth Programming and the training of the Rootead Youth Dance Company (RYDC). $12 ticket at door, $10 online. 

Wednesday, December 19

  • West African Drum Classes—6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Rootead, 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Taught by master drummer Kevin Jones. $15 drop in, $10 for students. 

Friday, December 21

  • Kwanzaa Celebration: KPL and the Black Arts Cultural Center—5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch 1000 W Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library.  You will hear the story of Kwanzaa told by Sid Ellis and enjoy performances by Rootead drum and dance and Face Off Theatre Company. 

Sunday, December 23

  • Sunday Tour: Watanabe: Japanese Print Envoy—2 to 3 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA),  435 W South St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the KIA. Join us for a docent-led tour of the exhibition Watanbe: Print Envoy and many of these early prints as well as later impressions to tell the story of the workshop that set the standard for the new generation of print publishers. Regular admission rates apply.  

Wednesday, December 26

  • West African Drum Classes—6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Rootead, 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. Taught by master drummer Kevin Jones. $15 drop in, $10 for students. 

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