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regions : michigan
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kalamazoo michigan
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this information compiled by aaron bennett
Kalamazoo is the halfway point between Detroit and Chicago (130 and 125 miles away respectively). Located on I-94 exactly two hours from both cities, Kalamazoo has had a history of being strategic to the development of house and techno music. It was from Kalamazoo that house in the form of tapes and records made its way over to Detroit and influenced the development of techno. House producers got their taste of the new Detroit techno from the records coming through Kalamazoo. Influencial techno artist Jay Denham is from Kalamazoo and still calls it home. Producer and DJ Shake from Detroit attended Western Michigan University for several years. And infamous producer and DJ Jeff Mills found the inspiration for his legendary mixing style from one of the local Kalamazoo djs.
Right now, the scene in Kalamazoo is small. However, plans are in the making to create an environment similar to what is being done in places like East Lansing, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio and take it to those levels. To help in this the 616 Collective was recently envisioned and brought into being. The 616 Collective aims to organize events in the Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids/West Michigan area to bring life to the scene forming here. To find out information on events and when they are taking place call (616) 343-8044
On Saturday nights starting February 3, 1996, there will be a new techno/house night at the Warehouse nightclub in Kalamazoo. Vice of Black Nation records will be the resident DJ and special guests will appear periodically to dj as well. The Warehouse is located at 402 E. Michigan in downtown at the corner of Pitcher St. For more info, call the 616 Collective at (616) 343-8044.
The Pitch Control is a radio show dedicated to bring the underground sound of Detroit techno, Chicago house, and experimental ambient to the airwaves of Kalamazoo. It is on Thursday nights from 11pm-2am on 89.1FM WIDR which is Western Michigan University's student run station. The studio lines are (616) 387-6303 and (616) 387-6304.
For out of towners coming into Kalamazoo, there are several places to eat, hang out and shop. For records, the only real place with dance vinyl and CDs is Flipside records. The selection as of this writing is pretty lame, but efforts are underway to get the owner to bring in quality music. Flipside is at 309 N. Burdick in downtown and the phone is (616) 343-5865. For clothes, Piranha Alley is a good place. It is at 214 S. Kalamazoo Mall in downtown and the number is (616) 385-3474. There are two good coffee places in town. Fourth Coast Cafe is located at 816 S. Westnedge just south of Vine Street. Water Street Coffee Joint is located at 315 E. Water Street at the corner of Kalamazoo Ave. For those that want to go to a bar, the Ecclectic Cafe at Bell's Brewery is cool. It is at 345 E. Kalamazoo Ave (look for the yellow Bell's sign). It is not as much a bar as a place to chill out with high quality microbrews. For those that want the normal college bar, my personal favorite is Waldo's which is in the 1440 block of W. Michigan near Western's campus. To eat, Klein's Deli and Bagel Factory is good. It is at 812 S. Westnedge (next to Fourth Coast Cafe). Big Burrito is an experience not to be missed. It is at 5036 W. KL Ave at the corner of Drake Rd. For breakfast, Holly's is at 645 W. Michigan Ave between downtown and campus. Maggie's on W. Michigan near the corner of Howard is another good breakfast place. Bilbo's Pizza located at the corner of W. Michigan and Howard in the Campus Pointe Mall is very good if you are in a pizza mood. There are also a Denny's, Perkin's, Applebee's, Burger King's, etc in town. They are all on the major streets in Kalamazoo (the phone book will give you more specific locations).
During the summer months, a good way to spend the day before going to the event is going to the various beaches at Lake Michigan. The best beaches are at Grand Haven (about 65 miles from Kalamazoo), Holland (about 50 miles from Kalamazoo),and South Haven (about 40 miles from Kalamazoo). My personal favorite is Grand Haven (a bit of a trek from Kalamazoo, but it is well worth it). There are camping facilities at the beaches in Grand Haven and Holland at the state parks. Grand Haven State Park and Holland State Park run the beaches at those two cities respectively while the city runs North Beach (much better than South Beach) in South Haven. While not home to a decent beach, Saugatuck (located between South Haven and Holland on I-196) is home to lots of cool, funky, and eclectic stores.
+ last updated 17 jan 96
regions : michigan
