Chalk The Block: 3:00 PM | Patio Opens: 5:00 PM | Music: 5:30 PM

June is pride month, and we are ready to celebrate. Join us outside the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre for Queer the Block, Presented by Drue Salon and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, featuring Beats by DJ Dazzelship and a drag show performance by the Kunty Kittens on Saturday, June 17th!

We’ll have free live entertainment outside our iconic Theatre, patio seating, drink specials, and more! Help us decorate the dance floor and enjoy free activities provided by local downtown businesses and organizations during “Chalk the Block” from 3-5 PM, with our patio opening at 5 PM and live entertainment from 5:30-8:30 PM! Our bar will open at 3PM and will be available for refreshments throughout the evening.

Patio seating is first-come first-serve and will be limited. Feel free to bring your own chairs and pets are welcome.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this year’s event, please contact Rachael Reinholtz at: rachael@kazoostate.com.

About DJ Dazzleship:

Paul Sizer deejays under the name “DJ DazzleShip,” inspired by the Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark album of the same name and by the World War 1 Vorticism-style camouflage used to hide battleships by making them confusing rather than invisible. You will recognize him as the official DJ for Club Vortex since 2018!

Paul’s DJ style is much like his long-standing love of music; varied, informed by many different styles, and constantly looking for the newest sounds. Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, Paul discovered music at the height of disco and the beginning of the punk and new wave era of the very early 80s. Always a fan of propulsive, beat-driven music, Paul also loved the emerging synthpop wave of bands coming out of the UK and Europe, from experimental to pure pop to industrial funk and dark ambient soundscapes. He also had a great love of early electro and hip-hop music coming from America, and loved seeing the musical styles from all over the world inform each other.

About The Kunty Kittens:

The Kunty Kittens are the first and only drag girl group in Michigan established in 2015 that travels all over the state to multiple venues entertaining the masses with burlesque, comedy, glamour, and shenanigans!

Here is our 2023 State on the Street lineup:

• June 2^nd —Lady Ace presents featuring Venus Flyytrap, Jes Kramer, Raydale Shamine and August*
• July 14^th — Jake Kershaw
• August 4^th — Fake Baseball
• September 15^th — Delilah Dewylde
• October 6^th — The Battle For Kalamazoo finale**

  *= Special start time: patio and bar opening at 5:30PM and live music from 6:00-8:30PM

**= More information coming soon

We can’t wait to see you all at these free, outdoor events!

What To Expect:

• Free admission
• Throwback drink specials available to purchase outside of KST
• Visit local business and organization tables including Drue Salon, OutFront, and more TBD
• Enjoy live music from from 5:30-8:30PM
• KST Box Office and Merch on site
• To-go drinks in Social District cups
  

RSVP On Facebook – www.facebook.com/pg/kazoostate/events/

Sign Up For Our Exclusive E-blast

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Parking:

Kalamazoo State Theatre’s main parking lot is located just south of the theatre at the intersection of South Burdick & Cedar St. This is an automated gate and accepts card only.

For additional parking options, please view downtown Kalamazoo’s parking map.  You can find tips for downtown parking, and within it is a link to a map and key.

Directions:

From the North (US-131 South, from Grand Rapids) Take US-131 and keep left on the fork to continue to 131 BUS S (Business South), follow signs for Exit 41/BUS/131/Downtown/Kalamazoo. Continue on Westnedge and turn left onto W. Michigan Ave., turn right onto the S. Kalamazoo mall. The State Theatre will be on your right, 404 S Burdick St.

From the South (US-131 North, Three Rivers, Indiana) Take US-131 N. to Exit 31 A to merge onto 1-94 E towards Detroit. Take exit 76 from Westnedge Ave. S. the turn left onto S. Westnedge. Take a right on Cedar St. until you get to Burdick and the State Theatre will be on your left, 404 S Burdick St.

From the East (I-94 West, from Detroit) Take I-94 W. and take Exit 81 for I-94 BUS towards Downtown/Kalamazoo. Turn left on King Highway to stay on I-94 BL W(Business Loop). Turn left onto E. Walnut St. Turn right onto S. Burdick St, the State Theatre will be on your left, 404 S. Burdick St.

From the West (I-94 East, from Chicago) Friendly reminder: you may be traveling from Central to Eastern/Standard time. Kalamazoo is one hour ahead Chicago. Take I-94 East to Exit 76 for S. Westnedge Ave. Take a left and continue north on S. Westnedge Ave. S. where it becomes Park St at the top of the hill. Continue downhill on Park St and take a slight right onto W Crosstown Parkway, take a slight left onto S. Burdick St. Continue on S. Burdick St and the State Theatre will be on you left.

To book your own private event, contact Rachael Reinholtz at (269) 216-5556 or rachael@kazoostate.com

For more information about private events at Kalamazoo State Theatre click here.

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What To Know Before Attending The Show

• All bags and purses must be under 8″ x 5″ x 2″ – Click for more details

Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 8 PM

Buy Tickets HERE.

The historic Kalamazoo State Theatre is excited to announce the highly-anticipated return of Almost Queen: A Tribute To Queen on Friday, June 30th, 2023 with special guest Steve Leonard.

About Almost Queen:

THE most authentic QUEEN live show since the days of QUEEN themselves. A deliberate four-piece band, Almost Queen delivers a live performance showcasing signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. Donning genuine costumes, Almost Queen recaptures the live energy and precision that is the ultimate Queen experience.

It’s like seeing the original Queen lineup without having to travel back in time! Joseph Russo acts as iconic frontman Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard portrays the curly-haired Brian May, John Cappadonna is drummer Roger Taylor, and Randy Gregg personifies bassist John Deacon.

About Steve Leonard:

Steve Leonard has been playing guitar and writing songs since the time of his first rock concert at Brendan Byrne Arena (Whitesnake). Walking the fine line between John Denver and Frank Zappa, Steve resists judgement and prefers to just let the music flow. Steve has an instinctive propensity to rock, as the guitarist for Queen tribute Almost Queen should. His rock desires are balanced by reflective writing tendencies and an impulsive need to catch a groove.

General Ticket Information:

All seating is reserved for this all-ages event. There’s an 8-ticket limit.

• $29.00-$69.00

Skip The Line Ticket Information:

Why wait in the elements when you can skip the line?! This is a separate ticket that will grant you expedited entry into the venue. Skip The Line entry is located near the main entrance of the building. Look for VIP / Skip The Line signage or ask a staff member. Present your Skip The Line pass along with your event ticket for expedited entry and to avoid the public lines. THIS IS NOT AN EVENT TICKET.

Security Information:
All patrons are subject to search, pat down, and wanding.  The following items are not allowed in the venue: guns, knives, lasers, tasers, mace, glass items, cameras, selfie sticks, outside food or beverage, no bags over the dimensions of 8 inches wide by 5 inches tall with a width of 2 inches,  and other items that may challenge public safety.  You can view our full list by visiting our frequently asked questions here

The post Almost Queen: A Tribute To Queen appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

What To Know Before Attending The Show

• All bags and purses must be under 8″ x 5″ x 2″ – Click for more details

Doors: 6:00 PM | Show: 7:00 PM

THIS IS A FREE EVENT. Limited seating is available. Please register at bit.ly/grnonion.

The Kalamazoo State Theatre is proud to welcome living legend Booker T. Jones to its historic stage as part of the Black Arts Festival on Saturday, July 8. The event is hosted by KST and presented by Kalamazoo Public Library, Black Arts & Cultural Center, and The Gilmore.

About Booker T. Jones:

Security Information:
All patrons are subject to search, pat down, and wanding.  The following items are not allowed in the venue: guns, knives, lasers, tasers, mace, glass items, cameras, selfie sticks, outside food or beverage, no bags over the dimensions of 8 inches wide by 5 inches tall with a width of 2 inches,  and other items that may challenge public safety.  You can view our full list by visiting our frequently asked questions here

The post Booker T. Jones: 60 Years of Green Onions appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

Patio & Bar: 5:00 PM | Live Music: 5:30 PM

State on the Street is back for select Fridays this Summer!  Join us outside the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre for State on the Street featuring Jake Kershaw Friday, July 14!

We’ll have free live music outside our iconic Theatre, patio seating, drink specials, theatre tours available for purchase, and more! All of the events will be held on Fridays, with our patio and bar opening at 5PM and live music from 5:30-8:30PM!

ABOUT JAKE KERSHAW:

Jake Kershaw has accomplished more in music than someone twice his age. He has had the privilege of playing with great performers such as Jonny Lang, Tommy Emmanuel, Anthony Gomes, Larry McCray, Albert Cummings, Walter Trout, and has opened for Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Bernard Allison, Samantha Fish, Marcus King, Wayne Baker Brooks, and Tab Benoit. Jake recorded and released his first EP, “Piece of My Mind”, in the summer of 2017 when he was just 16 years old. Earlier that year he was honored with his first endorsement from Heritage Guitars as a “Young Artist”, and has since been endorsed by companies such as Lizard Spit, JobeTone pickups, Apex Strings, and Medina Made straps. Jake has also won two “Jammie Awards” from western Michigan’s WYCE radio for “Listener’s Choice: Best Album by a New Artist” and “2018 Emerging Artist of the Year”.

In 2016, Jake befriended world-renowned audio engineer Bill Chrysler, and a friendship quickly grew along with the production of Jake’s self-titled debut album, produced by Chrysler himself.

In Bill’s own words, “I have a very high barometer when it comes to contemporary guitar players. I’ve mixed thousands of live shows over the past forty years for guitar heavy artists like John Mayer, Rush, Eric Johnson, Maroon 5 and Ted Nugent to mention a small fraction of my touring career – I am extremely honored and grateful to Jake for sharing his journey with me so far. I am as proud of this recording as anything I have done in over four decades in the music industry.” Jake is now ready to take on the world with his new music and exciting live shows, and is coming to a city near you!

Jake has played many large shows and festivals in his short time of touring, including his stint at every show since 2017 at WLAV’s “Blues On The Mall” summer concert series, which is typically held at the DeltaPlex Arena. He has also played the Dallas International Guitar Festival, Buddy Guy’s Legends, the WYCE Jammie Awards at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Buck Lake Ranch, Kalamazoo State Theater, the Lowell Showboat in Lowell, Michigan, and countless blues festivals across the entire state of Michigan. Jake is even an annual mainstay act in events in Michigan that pull large crowds such as the Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford, Battle Creek Field of Flight, and Perrin Brewing’s Backyard Bashes.

Here is the rest of our 2022 State on the Street lineup:

• August 4 –  Fake Baseball
• September 15 – Delilah Dewylde
• October 6 – The Battle for Kalamazoo

We can’t wait to see you all at these free, outdoor events!

What To Expect:
– Free admission
– Throwback drink specials available to purchase outside of KST
– Enjoy live music from from 5:30-8:30PM
– KST Box Office and Merch on site
– To-go drinks in Social District cups
– Venue tours

RSVP On Facebook – www.facebook.com/pg/kazoostate/events/

Sign Up For Our Exclusive E-blast

The post State On The Street Presented by Doja and True North Collective: Jake Kershaw appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

What To Know Before Attending The Show

• All bags and purses must be under 8″ x 5″ x 2″ – Click for more details

Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 8:00 PM

Buy Tickets HERE

BUY SKIP THE LINE PASSES

Moxie Media Group is bringing a special screening of the classic 1987 film DIRTY DANCING to the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

As a special bonus, we will be partnering Sharon’s Dance Studio to offer free dance lessons before the movie begins. Be sure to arrive early!

Baby (Jennifer Grey) is one listless summer away from the Peace Corps. Hoping to enjoy her youth while it lasts, she’s disappointed when her summer plans deposit her at a sleepy resort in the Catskills with her parents. Her luck turns around, however, when the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze), enlists Baby as his new partner, and the two fall in love. Baby’s father forbids her from seeing Johnny, but she’s determined to help him perform the last big dance of the summer.

ABOUT MOXIE MEDIA:

Moxie Media Group is the publisher of Moxie Magazine and the promoter of the Moxie Women’s Expo.

General Ticket Information:

All seating is GA for this PG-13 rated event.

• $12.50 Advance ticket price
• $15 Week of screening price
• $10 Student pricing available

The post Dirty Dancing (1987 Film) — Presented by Moxie Media appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

Patio & Bar: 5:00 PM | Live Music: 5:30 PM

State on the Street is back for select Fridays this Summer!  Join us outside the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre for State on the Street featuring Fake Baseball Friday, August 4!

We’ll have free live music outside our iconic Theatre, patio seating, drink specials, theatre tours available for purchase, and more! All of the events will be held on Fridays, with our patio and bar opening at 5PM and live music from 5:30-8:30PM!

Here is the rest of our 2022 State on the Street lineup:

• September 15 – Delilah Dewylde
• October 6 – The Battle for Kalamazoo

We can’t wait to see you all at these free, outdoor events!

What To Expect:
– Free admission
– Throwback drink specials available to purchase outside of KST
– Enjoy live music from from 5:30-8:30PM
– KST Box Office and Merch on site
– To-go drinks in Social District cups
– Venue tours

RSVP On Facebook – www.facebook.com/pg/kazoostate/events/

Sign Up For Our Exclusive E-blast

The post State On The Street Presented by Doja and True North Collective: Fake Baseball appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

Patio & Bar: 5:00 PM | Live Music: 5:30 PM

State on the Street is back for select Fridays this Summer!  Join us outside the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre for State on the Street featuring Delilah Dewylde and The Lost Boys Friday, September 15!

We’ll have free live music outside our iconic Theatre, patio seating, drink specials, theatre tours available for purchase, and more! All of the events will be held on Fridays, with our patio and bar opening at 5PM and live music from 5:30-8:30PM!

There will also be food available for purchase from the Motor Mouth food truck.

ABOUT DELILAH DEWYLDE:

A long time ago, at the dawn of the Atomic Age, a succession of no-good punks and ill-mannered teenagers took the best of American roots music — hard-partying honky tonk country, searing gutbucket blues and lonesome hillbilly twang — and distilled it into a potent moonshine known as rockabilly. This combustible formula, passed down through the generations, forms the heart of the revved-up stylings of Delilah DeWylde.

Delilah DeWylde got her start in 2004. Just like rockabilly originators Johnny Cash, Bill Haley and Carl Perkins, this Michigander cut her teeth on steel-guitar driven country in the style popularized by Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Webb Pierce. But the draw of the big beat was irresistible, and over time the band’s approach has become sharper and tighter. Not self-consciously retro, Delilah remains committed to hand-crafted American music that stands at the crossroads of creativity and craftsmanship, liberally drawing from honky tonk country, rockabilly and surf music

Bandleader Delilah DeWylde (upright bass/lead vocals) is a veteran of the West Michigan music scene and an alumna of rockabilly institution DangerVille. Her out-sized stage presence is the centerpiece of the show — one minute singing sweetly, the next slapping her bass into submission.

Next to the sound and fury of Miss Delilah stands cool character Lee Harvey on electric guitar. His serious demeanor on-stage reveals his reverence for the precision and technique of the “original” guitar gods—the likes of Paul Burlison, Billy Byrd, Cliff Gallup, Grady Martin, Dick Dale, Luther Perkins, Scotty Moore and Don Rich.

Taking their task seriously, this trio plies its trade the old-fashioned way – live and in person, logging more than 120 gigs a year throughout the Midwest and beyond. The band also has recorded three LPs (as they used to call ’em): 2008’s Honky Tonk Heart, 2010’s The Price You Pay and Win My Love – recorded in 2012.

Here is the rest of our 2022 State on the Street lineup:

• October 6 – The Battle for Kalamazoo

We can’t wait to see you all at these free, outdoor events!

What To Expect:
– Free admission
– Throwback drink specials available to purchase outside of KST
– Enjoy live music from from 5:30-8:30PM
– KST Box Office and Merch on site
– To-go drinks in Social District cups
– Venue tours

RSVP On Facebook – www.facebook.com/pg/kazoostate/events/

Sign Up For Our Exclusive E-blast

The post State On The Street Presented by Doja and True North Collective: Delilah Dewylde appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

What To Know Before Attending The Show

• All bags and purses must be under 8″ x 5″ x 2″ – Click for more details

Doors: 6PM | Show: 7PM

Buy Tickets HERE

The Kalamazoo State Theatre is excited to welcome Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors to its historic stage on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

About Drew Holcomb:

There are no strangers at a Drew Holcomb show. For the better part of two decades, the award-winning songwriter has brought his audience together night after night, turning his shows into celebrations of community, collaboration, and contemporary American roots music. Strangers No More, the ninth album from Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, celebrates that sense of togetherness. Produced by Cason Cooley, it expands the band’s mix of timeless songwriting, modern-day Laurel Canyon folk, amplified Americana, and heartland rock & roll. “All The Money in the World,” with its deep-pocketed groove that showcases The Neighbors’ musicality, is punctuated by blasts of brass, marking the band’s first song to feature horns. “That’s On You, That’s On Me” makes room for barrelhouse piano, slide guitar, and the greasy grit of a juke joint rock band. “On a Roll” and “Possibility” are Springsteen-sized rock & roll melodramas that wail and exalt, their cinematic arrangements built for the large rooms that Holcomb regularly plays these days. “Fly” is a reflective, finger-plucked folksong. Finally, there’s “Dance With Everybody,” a lively tribute to the live show that brims with a joyful optimism — a feeling that was often missing during the band’s earlier years, when their shows weren’t nearly as packed. Song by song, Strangers No More offers an all-encompassing view not only of the places Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors have been, but where they’re headed next, too. It’s an invitation into the band’s world. Strangers no more, indeed.

General Ticket Information:

All seating is reserved for this all-ages event. There’s an 8-ticket limit.

• $25-$114.50
• Limited VIP available
  • Early entry into the venue
  • Join Drew for a 20-minute intimate solo acoustic set performance before the main show
  • Exclusive setlist of fan requests and deep-cut classics
  • Takes place one hour before doors

Skip the line Ticket Information:

Why wait in the elements when you can skip the line?! This is a separate ticket that will grant you expedited entry into the venue. Skip The Line entry is located near the main entrance of the building. Look for VIP / Skip The Line signage or ask a staff member. Present your Skip The Line pass along with your event ticket for expedited entry and to avoid the public lines. THIS IS NOT AN EVENT TICKET.

Security Information:
All patrons are subject to search, pat down, and wanding.  The following items are not allowed in the venue: guns, knives, lasers, tasers, mace, glass items, cameras, selfie sticks, outside food or beverage, no bags over the dimensions of 8 inches wide by 5 inches tall with a width of 2 inches,  and other items that may challenge public safety.  You can view our full list by visiting our frequently asked questions here

The post Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – Find Your People Tour appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.

What To Know Before Attending The Show

• All bags and purses must be under 8″ x 5″ x 2″ – Click for more details

Doors: 6:30 PM | Show: 7:30 PM

Buy Tickets HERE

The eight-piece kings of soul, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, will bring their Angels In Science Fiction tour to the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre on Wednesday, September 27, with special guest Abraham Alexander.

About St. Paul & The Broken Bones:

Founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 2011, St. Paul & the Broken Bones consists of Paul Janeway (vocals), Jesse Phillips (bass), Browan Lollar (guitar), Kevin Leon (drums), Al Gamble (keyboards), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone), and Amari Ansari (saxophone). The eight-piece ensemble burst into the world with their 2014 debut Half the City, establishing a sound that quickly became a calling card and landing the band a slew of major festivals including Lollapalooza, Coachella and Glastonbury. Critical praise from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, SPIN and NPR followed, leading to shared stages with some of the world’s biggest artists—Elton John and The Rolling Stones among them—and launching an impressive run of headlining tours behind what Esquire touted as a “potent live show that knocks audiences on their ass.”

The group has continued to expand their sound with every record, branching out well beyond old-school soul into sleek summertime funk and classic disco on albums like 2018’s Young Sick Camellia. Their forthcoming LP, Angels In Science Fiction, stretches their limbs further afield, building on the shadowy psychedelia and intricate, experimental R&B of 2022’s The Alien Coast.

General Ticket Information:

This event features both general admission pit and reserved seating throughout the theatre. There’s a 6-ticket limit.

• $35-$130
• Limited VIP available
  • One premium reserved ticket -or- general admission ticket
  • Early venue entry
  • Intimate pre-show soundcheck performance by the Broken Bones
  • Exclusive limited edition signed merch item 
  • Official pre-show VIP laminate
  • Merchandise shopping before doors open to the general public
  • Limited availability

Attention ticket buyers: Please note that individuals seated in the first three rows of the main floor may experience obstructed views from the General Admission/Pit section. 

Security Information:
All patrons are subject to search, pat down, and wanding.  The following items are not allowed in the venue: guns, knives, lasers, tasers, mace, glass items, cameras, selfie sticks, outside food or beverage, no bags over the dimensions of 8 inches wide by 5 inches tall with a width of 2 inches,  and other items that may challenge public safety.  You can view our full list by visiting our frequently asked questions here

The post St. Paul & The Broken Bones — The Angels in Science Fiction Tour appeared first on Kalamazoo State Theatre.