Chapter XD: COMMUNITY FACILITIES
D. CULTURAL FACILITIES
1. Carver Center
The Carver Center, located at 426 South Park Street in downtown, is a small, alternative performing arena that hosts the Kalamazoo Civic Players, Civic Black and Civic Youth theater groups.
2. Festival Playhouse - Kalamazoo College
Located at Kalamazoo College, this playhouse has three performances a year. The theater has a 300 seat capacity.
3. Gilmore Classic Car Club of America Museums
Restored red barns house over 125 classic cars in the Gilmore collection. The exhibits, located on Hickory Road off M-43, trace the development of the American automobile. Special car shows are scheduled throughout the year. The museum is open seven days a week from May to October.
4. Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum
Opened in 1979, the "Air Zoo" main exhibition facility contains 3,000 sq. ft. of display space, exhibiting approximately 60 vintage aircraft and insignia banners, aviation photographs, and art. Open year round, the museum also includes temporary exhibits, a flight simulator, flight/restora-tion center, and educational programs. The Air Zoo is located at 3101 E Milham Road.
5. Kalamazoo Civic Players
Kalamazoo's own theater troupe performs plays and musicals year round. Performances are held at the Carver Centerand the Kalamazoo Civic Theater. The players have an offshoot of their troupe - the Civic Black and Civic Youth which perform African American and youth productions.
6. Kalamazoo Civic Theater
The Kalamazoo Civic Theater, located at 329 S. Park Street in downtown Kalamazoo, presents a full season of musical and dramatic presentations. The Kalamazoo Civic Theater has a worldwide reputation as a top community theater organization.
7. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA), which is located at 314 S. Park Street, has over 3,000 prints, photographs, paintings, sculptures, and ceramic features in its collection. The KIA places special emphasis on 20th Century American Art and German Expressionistic Art. Artists include: Rembrandt Van Rijn, Alexander Coler, and Andrew Wyeth.
8. Kalamazoo Public Library
The main branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library, located at 315 South Rose Street, is current-ly undergoing major renovations. A third floor will be added to the library, and new collection space will be available on the second floor since the Museum relocated to a newly built facility on north Rose Street. The renovations are scheduled for completion in January, 1998. In the meantime, the main branch of the Public Library will be operating at 121 W. South Street.
There are also four branch locations of the Kalamazoo Public Library: the Eastwood Branch (112 Gayle), the Central Library Branch (121 W. S. Kalamazoo), the Washington Square Branch (1244 Portage) and the Powell Branch (1000 W. Patterson). The Eastwood library is a new facility which opened in August, 1996. The Washington Square library, also undergoing major renovations, will re-open in the spring of 1997 when ADA requirements and other improvements are complete.
9. Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
The 86 member resident professional orchestra will be enjoying its 75th year of success in the 1996-97 season. Led by nationally known conductor Yoshimi Takeds, the orchestra performs a full concert series at WMU's Miller Auditorium. The Orchestra also offers free performances at Kalamazoo, Portage, and Parchment in parks, community centers and other facilities during the summer months.
10. Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Located at 230 N. Rose Street in downtown Kalamazoo, the museum opened in February of 1996. This new state-of-the-art public museum features a 21st century digital theater and planetarium; an inviting pre-school exhibit; simulated missions into outer space via the Challenger Center for Space Science-Education; and, hands on exhibits that make science and learning fun. The museum provides barrier-free access and elevators to serve all museum patrons and admission is free.
11. Miller Auditorium - Western Michigan University
Located on Western Michigan University's campus, this is the premier auditorium in southwest Michigan for touring Broadway shows. "Les Miserables", "Cats", and other productions and concerts are held at Miller Auditorium year round. The auditorium seats 3,500 and is home to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and WMU's School of Music.
12. New Vic Theater
A fixture in the Kalamazoo theater scene for 30 years, the Vic is host to a variety of performances from experimental to traditional, and occasional concerts. Famous for its production of "A Christmas Carol", it has sold out for 17 straight years. The New Vic Theater is located at 134 E Vine Street.
13. State Theater
Kalamazoo's only surviving theater of the grand era, the State features a Spanish courtyard interior with moving stars and clouds projected on the ceiling. The State, located at 404 S. Burdick, hosts concerts, movies, comedy, and other performers.
14. Whole Art Theater & Company
Located at 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall, this innovative theater is now co-habitating with the World Tree Peace Center. The Whole Art Theater, with 1,569 seats, has productions that "rouse the spirit, liberates the mind, and speaks to the heart".
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