In 2008, a gang of Kalamazoo art-lovers decided to get together and make steps towards an all-ages art and performance space here in our fair city. In many ways, this rag-tag group of folks were the fore-runners and progenitors of DIT Kalamazoo as we know it now. Weekly meetings and an active Facebook page lead to a great deal of progress being made: a number of benefit shows raised a little money, non-profit status was achieved, and seeds were sown.

That initial effort eventually slowed and stalled as life happened and the folks involved found less and less time and energy to put forth. By 2009, things had slowed and the Kalamazoo Collective Arts Center initiative took a break until 2012, when a -new- rag-tag group of folks picked it back up, again with the end-goal of operating an all-ages safe-space art and music venue here in Kalamazoo!

‘Kcactus’ by Jose Rincones

Things are moving forward at a steady pace, but in order for this ultimate goal to become a reality, the KCAC needs a little thing called CHEDDAR. Hence, Sunday, Feb. 16th, an AWESOME PUNK-ROCK FUNDRAISER WILL BE HELD, featuring the excellent acts

FISHERKING

courtesy Fisherking’s Facebook

THE NATURAL DISASTERS

Courtesy Natty D’s Facebook

AN (Formerly PAN)

Throwback photo courtesy PAN’s Myspace page

And excellently, a 1-time reunion performance by
ACKLEY KID

Courtesy Ackley Kid’s Facebook page

Show starts at 9pm at Shakespeare’s Lower Level. This one is 21+ (sorry, young-punks) and also ABSOLUTELY FREE, so make sure you bring enough money for a beer and a few bucks in the KCAC’s Hat.

Anybody remember 1982 very clearly?  Eliot Rachman does.  Or maybe he doesn’t, what do I know?  At any rate, in that year and on the heels of the musical and cultural tidal wave known as hardcore, the RSO known as Students for Progressive Action was born.

The organization was spearheaded by Rachman and Kenny Knott, who, as students at Western and members of Violent Apathy, sought to make Kalamazoo’s venerated university a viable option for hardcore bands in need of a venue.

Students for Progressive Action made it possible for many of hardcore’s seminal groups to make appearances in Kalamazoo, including but not limited to Black Flag, Minutemen, Discharge and Minor Threat.  This was, of course, long before punk shows could be coordinated and held in one’s basement with merely a handful of facebook messages.

And now, three decades later, some spunky WMU students have taken it upon themselves to resurrect the RSO that championed Kalamazoo’s involvement in hardcore’s salad days, with the apparent blessing of Violent Apathy and the university itself.

And now the fun part.

Students for Progressive Action, in cooperation with The Peace Center, is hosting a kickoff show on FEBRUARY 15 at 8pm at the Wesley Foundation on Western’s campus.

Scheduled performances by:

DAD JEANS
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dad-Jeans/428123767313433

EVIL DEAUXERS
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evil-Deauxerz/279476615431181

THE DANDY CHUMS
http://www.facebook.com/thedandychumsband

THIS ISN’T WHERE I PARKED MY CAR
https://www.facebook.com/thisisntwhereiparkedmycarkzoo?ref=stream

With a killer lineup and appearances by members of Violent Apathy, this show promises to be perfectly rad, and a glimpse into a fresh chapter not only for Students for Progressive Action, but our beloved music scene at large.

The gig is, of course, all ages, with a suggested donation of $5.

More information can be found at

https://www.facebook.com/events/675868085767706

https://www.facebook.com/SPAwmu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_Apathy

It has been a minute!  Tonight Kalamazoo will once again bare witness to the insanely awesome 2 piece stoner/doom act “Beast in The Field”.  The band is well known for their wall of amps, extreme volume and excellent instrumental numbers.  If you haven’t caught them live before now is your chance!

Supporting acts include….

Inflatable Best Friend as well as a surprise opening act featuring Sid Redlin.  

Tonights show is at the beloved Louies Trophy House Bar and Grill, music starts around 9 and there is an 8 dollar cover at the door.  It is suggested so you can still check out the bands if you aren’t able to pay the full cover.  

Let’s all get together and have a good time tonight!