Events calendar
May 14, 2026
Res mediaevales: Medieval Ways of Making
Wonder how medieval people made and used everyday objects? From medieval textiles, to Scandinavian board games, to recreations of burial goods, explore medieval ways of making at the experimental…
Date:
Thursday, May 14 - Saturday
Time:
May 16
Location:
Sangren Lobby
Evaluation Planning Retreat
The Evaluation Center is facilitating a five-day, hands-on evaluation planning retreat, May 11-15, 2026, for teams from educational, public sector, and nonprofit organizations. Participants will…
Date:
Thursday, May 14
Time:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location:
The Fetzer Center
2251 Business Ct
Kalamazoo, MI 49008 US
Let's Dance! A Participatory Workshop for Researching Medieval Dance Composition and Performance
How can we study medieval dance when the object of our study no longer exists? This participatory workshop uses a collective and embodied approach to investigate how medieval dances were composed and…
Date:
Thursday, May 14
Time:
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location:
Dunbar Dance Studio
Apocalypse and Community in Medieval Italian Art
The first plenary lecture at the 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies, sponsored by De Gruyter Brill and Medieval Institute Publications, will be given by Alison Perchuk (California State…
Date:
Thursday, May 14
Time:
7 to 8 p.m.
Location:
Sangren 1910
May 15, 2026
Evaluation Planning Retreat
The Evaluation Center is facilitating a five-day, hands-on evaluation planning retreat, May 11-15, 2026, for teams from educational, public sector, and nonprofit organizations. Participants will…
Date:
Friday, May 15
Time:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location:
The Fetzer Center
2251 Business Ct
Kalamazoo, MI 49008 US
Classical Poetry and Medieval Commentary: The Textual Archaeology of a Genre
The Reception of the Classics in the Middle Ages lecture at the 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies will be given by David Gura (Univ. of Notre Dame) and is titled "Classical Poetry and…
Date:
Friday, May 15
Time:
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Location:
Sangren 1910
The Middle East, North Africa, and Medieval Spain: Music and Languages at the Crossroads of Convivencia
This workshop explores the intersections of languages like Arabic, Ladino, and Spanish and the musical expressions that evolved from them in medieval Spain. Through a combination of music performance…
Date:
Friday, May 15
Time:
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location:
Kanley Chapel
Spinning Wool with Medieval Tools and Techniques: A Hands-On Workshop (1)
The study of medieval textile labor highlights intimate connections between the ecology and rhythms of the natural world with even the most intellectual premodern activities. It also offers a window…
Date:
Friday, May 15
Time:
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location:
Fireplace Lounge, Student Center
The Queerness of Solitude
The second plenary lecture at the 61th International Congress on Medieval Studies, sponsored by the Medieval Academy of America, will be given by Michelle Sauer (Univ. of North Dakota) and is titled …
Date:
Friday, May 15
Time:
7 to 8 p.m.
Location:
Sangren 1910
May 16, 2026
Spinning Wool with Medieval Tools and Techniques: A Hands-On Workshop (2)
The study of medieval textile labor highlights intimate connections between the ecology and rhythms of the natural world with even the most intellectual premodern activities. It also offers a window…
Date:
Saturday, May 16
Time:
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location:
Fireplace Lounge, Student Center
Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change'®
All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smash-hit Menopause The Musical® is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies…
Date:
Saturday, May 16
Time:
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Location:
Miller Auditorium
1341 Theatre Dr.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008 US 
Ziryab: Music & Storytelling
Arabic music, poetry, and songs breathe life into the story of Ziryab, a former slave from Baghdad, whose musical abilities brought him fame throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Andalusia: a…
Date:
Saturday, May 16
Time:
7 to 8:15 p.m.
Location:
Kanley Chapel
May 18, 2026
Foster Care Awareness Month Q&A
Join us for an informative Q&A session about foster care.
Date:
Monday, May 18
Time:
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Location:
Oshtemo Library
7265 W. Main St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49009 US May 19, 2026
PSAW 2026 Spring Luncheon & Awards Ceremony
Come celebrate the outstanding work of our professional staff. Please RSVP by May 12 to attend.
Date:
Tuesday, May 19
Time:
12 to 1:15 p.m.
Location:
Dunn Bronco Ballroom
Heritage Hall
625 Oakland Dr
Kalamazoo, MI 49007 US May 20, 2026
Conversation Circle
Help international students make connections and practice conversational English.
Date:
Wednesday, May 20
Time:
2 to 3 p.m.
Location:
Shibam Coffee
2632 W Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006 US May 23, 2026
Prefab Hempcrete Wall Demonstration
This workshop will include a hempcrete wall live demonstration, testing and performance insights, as well as a discussion on sustainable building.
Date:
Saturday, May 23
Time:
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location:
Bronco Construction Research Center
2914 East Kilgore Road
Portage, MI 49002 US May 25, 2026
U.S. Memorial Day
No classes. Many University offices are closed.
Date:
Monday, May 25
Time:
All day
May 27, 2026
Conversation Circle
Help international students make connections and practice conversational English.
Date:
Wednesday, May 27
Time:
2 to 3 p.m.
Location:
Shibam Coffee
2632 W Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006 US 
Birthday Celebration for International Students and Scholars
A special celebration for international students and scholars who have a birthday this month.
Date:
Wednesday, May 27
Time:
2 to 4 p.m.
Location:
International Student & Scholar Services
3110 Faunce Student Services
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008 US May 28, 2026
Qualitative Research Tools: Taguette 101
Learn how to code, organize and export your qualitative data using a free, open‑source tool.
Date:
Thursday, May 28
Time:
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location:
Waldo Library and online