Month: January 2026

Live and Local — Sounds of the Zoo Hosts Year-Round Shows to Build Momentum and Support Michigan Music

Jennifer Westwood will perform at the first Sounds of the Zoo Presents: Live. Local. Vibes. show of 2026 on January 24 at Kalamazoo’s Old Dog Tavern. Photo – Chuck Marshall

For Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, Sounds of the Zoo runs all yearlong.

The founder, curator, and director of the Kalamazoo-based music festival is featuring several shows in 2026 to keep its momentum.

“Sounds of the Zoo has reached a point where it’s no longer just an idea or an annual event—it’s a living, growing ecosystem,” Hudson-Prenkert said.

“Lately, I’m motivated by the idea of sustainability: how we build something that supports artists long-term, not just for one weekend, and how we keep evolving while staying rooted in community.”

Billed as Sounds of the Zoo Presents: Live. Local. Vibes., the shows include different Michigan artists sharing the stage with each other and out-of-town guests.

“Creatively, I’ve been inspired by collaboration across scenes and genres and by watching artists support one another in really genuine ways,” Hudson-Prenkert said.

To get things started, Hudson-Prenkert is hosting a January 24 show at Kalamazoo’s Old Dog Tavern. It will feature performances by The Incantations’ Lisa Mackie and Ryan Gladding, along with Detroit’s Jennifer Westwood and Dylan Dunbar, and special guest Ted Russell Kamp.

Kamp is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and a member of Shooter Jennings’ band.

“I wanted artists who are not only incredible musicians but also strong storytellers and collaborators,” Hudson-Prenkert said.

“Bringing Detroit and Kalamazoo artists together with Ted Russell Kamp from Los Angeles reflects what Sounds of the Zoo is all about—connection across regimes and scenes. Ted has deep roots in Americana and songwriting, and pairing him with Michigan artists creates a really special, shared musical conversation rather than a typical headliner format.”

Longtime friends of Kamp’s, Westwood and Dunbar are eager to perform with him in Kalamazoo.

“Ted called, and we decided it was a great chance to get our pumps primed for the road again,” said Westwood, who performs with husband Dunbar and their band, The Handsome Devils.

“I wanted to treat our friend to some good experiences here. We wanted a date on the west side of the state. I love Jennifer [Hudson-Prenkert’s] vision, we enjoy Kalamazoo, and saw it as an opportunity to work with someone with a real vision versus looking to add a date to a calendar.”

I recently spoke with Hudson-Prenkert and Westwood ahead of the January 24 show.

Continue reading “Live and Local — Sounds of the Zoo Hosts Year-Round Shows to Build Momentum and Support Michigan Music” →

Darkness on the Edge of Corktown Celebrates Bruce Springsteen and Supports Motor City Mitten Mission During January 10 Benefit Show at Detroit’s Lager House

Mike Ward, Downtown Judy Brown, and Steve Taylor perform at the 2025 edition of Darkness on the Edge of Corktown. Photo – Nick Juno

A group of Metro Detroit artists is channeling the spirit of Bruce Springsteen.

The local musicians are performing together at Darkness on the Edge of Corktown, a Springsteen-themed benefit show that’s taking place January 10 at Detroit’s Lager House.

The show benefits Motor City Mitten Mission, a St. Clair Shores nonprofit that supports the homeless.

“After the success of our 2025 show—raising nearly $5,000—there were so many artists from Southeast Michigan who asked to be part of it if we held it again,” said Mike Ward, a folk singer-songwriter who’s organizing the show with his wife Angie Ward and singer-songwriter Nick Juno. “So it was a no-brainer.”

In its third edition, Darkness on the Edge of Corktown will feature more than 30 singer-songwriters performing songs from Springsteen’s catalog. The show takes its name from the 1978 Springsteen album, Darkness on the Edge of Town.

It will also serve as a collection site for donating winter clothing, food supplies, and other essential items for those in need.

Show attendees can donate any of the following items—hoodies, sweatshirts, shoes, boots, T-shirts, winter gloves and hats, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, bottled water, beef jerky, crackers, soup cups, utensils, and more—and receive a discounted entry fee of $5 that night.

“Last year, we had no idea how much we could raise,” said Ward, who first hosted the event in 2022. “We honestly thought if we brought in $700 to $1,000, plus donated items, it would be a success in addition to the awareness for the Mission. We sold out and had to turn people away, and ended up bringing in $4,700, plus filled a few vans with donated items.”

People can also make monetary donations at the show or through Motor City Mitten Mission’s website. All donations and proceeds from the show will go to the nonprofit.

To learn more, I spoke with Ward ahead of the show.

Continue reading “Darkness on the Edge of Corktown Celebrates Bruce Springsteen and Supports Motor City Mitten Mission During January 10 Benefit Show at Detroit’s Lager House” →

Igniting the Future — Echoes in the Iron Champions Small Towns, Local Businesses, and Michigan Music

Echoes in the Iron spotlights small business owners, musicians, and community advocates in Michigan.

In 2021, Bill Arnold and Brandon Still became fast friends.

The Clarkston musician and entrepreneur met through Wiltsie’s, a pop-up listening room that features live performances from Michigan musicians and doubles as a co-working space.

“I started doing shows for Brandon, both solo and then with One Ton Trolley,” said Arnold, who fronts the roots-rock band.

“Had it not been for Wiltsie’s, Brandon and I probably wouldn’t know each other. My whole network changed as a result of Wiltsie’s.”

Arnold and Still also witnessed the instant connections people started making while attending shows at Wiltsie’s.

“My career has morphed into helping small towns build co-working spaces [like Wiltsie’s],” said Still, who works in economic development and runs The Integrated Life Company.

“Our tagline that we’ve fallen into with Wiltsie’s has been transformational music experiences. It’s transforming the places, it’s transforming the people, and it’s transforming the artists in that they actually get to have a connection with people, too.”

That shared love of music, connection, and community struck a chord with Still and Arnold. By March 2024, they started laying the foundation for Echoes in the Iron, a multimedia project that supports small-town revitalization and builds community through music, storytelling, and entrepreneurship.

The project includes a series of YouTube videos spotlighting small business owners, musicians, and community advocates in Michigan.

“The music is obviously the main focal point for drawing people together and having the emotional spark to get people truly engaged,” Arnold said. “But we want to showcase their town, too, along with the businesses and the history. We want to combine everything … and foster community through all of that.”

I recently spoke with Arnold and Still to learn more about Echoes in the Iron.

Continue reading “Igniting the Future — Echoes in the Iron Champions Small Towns, Local Businesses, and Michigan Music” →