🌱 Movie Casting In Kalamazoo + Black Arts & Cultural Center Festival

Good morning, Kalamazoo-Portage! I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Sunny, nice and less humid. High: 82 Low: 61.
• Saturday: A stray thunderstorm. High: 78 Low: 61.

Here are the top three stories in Kalamazoo-Portage today:

1. Hollywood is making its way to southwest Michigan later this summer as a film will be casting extras for the movie "Bad Haircut" in Kalamazoo next month. The filmmakers are looking for about 200 college-aged extras to be in a party scene for the movie, the actors chosen must be available for three overnight filming sessions from Aug. 25-27, and food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. If you wish to be included in the movie you can sign up here. The new thriller is being directed by Kyle Misak. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
2. This weekend the Black Arts and Cultural Center in Kalamazoo wants to celebrate the young black artists with a festival at Bronson Park. The Black Arts and Cultural Center has been serving the community for 37 years and will continue to for the foreseeable future, this festival weekend will be on Friday and Saturday showing off the talented youth. In addition to the performances, there will be food, activities, crafts, and much more for free. On Saturday night at the Kalamazoo State Theater, there will also be a concert at 7:00 p.m. by Soul legend Booker T. Jones. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
3. This past Thursday in Portage, Chick-fil-A hosted a blood drive at its Westnedge location and those who donated were given a digital card for five free meals. The amount of blood donations tends to drop in the summer and that makes it harder for those who are in need, so the Portage Chick-fil-A played its part in encouraging the community to come out and donate blood to potentially save a life. Two staff members at the restaurant are currently suffering from cancer and one of them needs a blood transfusion, this blood drive is more than just helping this staff member as this blood will benefit the community in Portage, Kalamazoo, and the Grand Rapids area. (WOODTV.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Friday, July 7

• DIY Sidewalk Chalk At Washington Square Branch Library (3:00 PM)
• SPCA Night At The Growlers (5:30 PM)

Saturday, July 8

• KPL Tech Days At Kalamazoo Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Rose Street Poetry Club At Kalamazoo Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Quilting At Comstock Community Center (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo is happy to share that the new Student Center & Dining Facility is almost officially completed. It is so exciting that the returning and new students this fall will be able to experience these new and improved buildings as part of the Bronco experience. (Western Michigan University via Facebook)
• If you are interested in participating in the next Kanoe the Kazoo Paddle, mark your calendar for Saturday, Jul. 22. The paddle will begin at Merrill Park and go all the way to Mayors' Riverfront Park while cleaning up the river along the way, for more details and registration you can click here. (The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan via Facebook)
• Portage will be returning Movies in the Park to the Celery Flats Historical Area on Jul. 28. The park will be showing Back to the Future at 9:00 p.m., make sure you grabbed your loved ones for a relaxed night watching a classic. (The City of Portage MI via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all soon for another update!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.