Headband Henny, Wavy Awakening, and Tekeo
This is a 18+ event with standing room only | Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Headband Henny Headband Henny is a rising artist from Kalamazoo, Michigan, blending the emotional depth of alternative R&B with the experimental edge of neo-soul and hip hop, drawing inspiration from artists like Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy, and Kevin Abstract. Henny’s debut album Purple racked up 1 million streams and was named one of the top 5 albums of 2023 by Revue Magazine in West Michigan. Known for his introspective lyrics and captivating performances, Headband Henny is a unique voice in the modern music landscape, offering a fresh take on love, identity, and self-expression. Wavy Awakening Wavy Awakening is a Michigan-based, multi-genre band blending punk urgency, alt-rock emotion, and raw live energy. Built from the local scene and fueled by DIY roots, the band has become known for high-impact performances that connect deeply with crowds who thrive on authenticity and movement. What started as local showcases has grown into a 20+ stop touring act, creating space for both emerging and established artists while pushing their own sound forward. Wavy Awakening’s live shows are loud, emotional, and community-driven—where nostalgia, grit, and forward motion collide. Tekeo Tekeo (Tuh-kee-o) is a Michigan rap artist who blends the feel of hip hop’s golden age with a modern edge. He has performed at standout venues in Kalamazoo and Lansing, spreading his message of “keeping hip hop cool” at the local level. Collaborating with fellow Kalamazoo artists, Tekeo has also expanded his reach to cities like New York and Arizona. Representing not just hip hop, but Michigan hip hop. His music is infused with anime influences and pop-culture references that grab your attention, even if you don’t catch every detail. Hip hop isn’t dead, it’s just chilling somewhere in Kalamazoo.
Thomas Dolby – The Iconic 80’s: My Personal Recollections
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Thomas Dolby has had a multifaceted career, shifting from a pop music icon to a technology innovator and then to an academic. He is best known for his 1980s hits like “She Blinded Me with Science”. In the 1990s, he founded the company Beatnik, which developed polyphonic ringtone technology for mobile phones. More recently, he has become a professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute.
Shakespearean, Not Stirred
18+ Standing Room Only Show | Ages 17 & under admitted with a parent or guardian “Tipsy actors. Drinking games. Audience participation. A raffle. General hijinks. And somewhere in the mix… a Shakespeare play. Absolutely no fun will be had.” 🎭🍻 Seating & Ticket Options: Loft Standing: Standing room only at the back of the loft (Not ADA accessible). Loft Seated: Table seating at the front of the loft (Not ADA accessible). Main Floor Seated: Table seating on the main floor. VIP: Take your seat on stage with the actors!
Two Hearted Paint Along : A BELL’S PAINTING NIGHT
It’s officially Two Hearted Day! 💚🐟 And we’re celebrating with a special Two Hearted Fish Paint Along event led by our creative, artistic, and very talented co-worker Maria, who will guide you through the process step by step until your masterpiece is complete! This paint along will take place outside in our Beer Garden weather permitting. If needed, it will move indoors to the Back Room. What’s included: Supplies 1 drink ticket to keep the creative juices flowing A night filled with laughter and great vibes Spots are limited—grab yours now!
KALAMASHOEGAZER 2 DAY PASS
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian TWO DAY PASS! Admission to both days of the festival. FRIDAY, 9/5 Doors: 5:30/Music at 6 Origami Phase (Detroit, MI) Cardboard Highway (Kalamazoo, MI) Fern Murphy (Indianapolis, IN) Overly Polite Tornadoes (Kalamazoo, MI) Lightfoils (Chicago, IL) SATURDAY, 9/6 Doors: 4:30/Music at 5 Desert Liminal (Chicago, IL) Cigarettes for Breakfast (Philadelphia, PA) Snowcuffs (Chicago, IL) Vida Eterna (Kalamazoo, MI) Brief Candles (Milwaukee, WI) Waves Crashing (Olympia, WA) Seashine (St. Louis, MO)
Real Laughter Local Comedy Showcase
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Oba the Artist is a Kalamazoo-based comedian, actor, and writer known for his bold humor, quick wit, and thought-provoking punchlines. Whether on stage or behind the mic, Oba brings a fearless energy that blends personal storytelling with sharp social commentary. As the host of Real Laughter Oba sets the tone for a night of unforgettable comedy, keeping the crowd engaged and the laughs rolling. His charisma and commanding stage presence make him a standout in Michigan’s growing comedy scene. Landon Horne is a dynamic comedian whose bold humor and personal storytelling have quickly made him a fan favorite across the Midwest. With performances spanning clubs, colleges, and festivals, Landon brings a relatable, fast-paced set that keeps audiences laughing from start to finish. His material draws from everyday life, family, and growing up Black in America — delivered with wit, warmth, and an unmistakable charm. Micah Dailey-White is a 21-year-old artist and content creator from Michigan who gained significant attention through his humorous TikTok videos, amassing over 3 million followers. Despite facing homelessness as recently as early 2024, Micah utilized his platform to not only entertain but also to seek support, launching a GoFundMe campaign to assist with housing needs. Demonstrating his commitment to giving back, he pledged 10% of the proceeds to various charities, even while in need himself.
deadbeatdad, crystal trench, and DJ deathbong
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian With a style that’s equal parts groove and gut-punch, deadbeatdad is here to make you move and give you something to cry about. Drawing inspiration from electronic, pop, and indie sounds, deadbeatdad is crafting tracks that fuse dance-floor energy with brooding storytelling. With a passion for pushing musical limits and exploring themes of identity, self-discovery, and connection, deadbeatdad creates music that feels both personal and universally relatable. Known for their innovative production and bold sonic experimentation, deadbeatdad is rapidly making a mark on the alt-pop scene with a unique sound that’s as dynamic as it is unforgettable. DJ deathbong is a modular-techno project focused on live synthesis. Reviews: “That’s a lot of cables” , “What is that sound!?” “Please stop smoking in here”. crystal trench seems inextricable from the onstant, cyclical flow of gloom and bloom that surrounds them. They’ve built their world aroundthe ethereal, trance-like state of genres like darkwave and noise, with nods to their more energetic post-punk and synth-pop influences sprinkled throughout- creating a sound that’s both as dark, and as sparkly as their name implies.
PAINT YOUR PET NIGHT
Come down to Bell’s Back Room to put your painting skills to the test while painting a portrait of your pet! Leading the way is our creative, artistic, and very talented co-worker Maria, who will guide you through the process of painting your pet. For just $20 per person, you’ll get: Supplies A drink ticket to get the creative juices flowing A night filled with laughter and likely some accidental abstract art Spots are limited—grab yours now!
PAINT YOUR PET NIGHT
Happy National Pet Day!! Come down to Bell’s Back Room to put your painting skills to the test while painting a portrait of your pet! Leading the way is our creative, artistic, and very talented co-worker Maria, who will guide you through the process of painting your pet. For just $15 per person, you’ll get: Supplies A drink ticket to get the creative juices flowing A night filled with laughter and likely some accidental abstract art Spots are limited—grab yours now!
Out of Favor Boys Album Release Party
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Out of Favor Boys Album Release Join us at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe to celebrate the release of Love & Sorrow, the latest recording by Kalamazoo’s own Out of Favor Boys. The album features 11 original compositions that reflect the band’s numerous influences, incorporating rock, soul and blues into a thoughtful collection of songs. OFB will be joined by friends and guest musicians who played on the record to perform the new songs, as well as some classic OFB jams. The horn section and organ highlight the group’s roots in soul and blues, as well as their commitment to keeping people on the dance floor. Since coming together in 2003, Out of Favor Boys has been a blues staple in the region. OFB won the 2017 West Michigan Blues Society Blues Challenge, winning the right to represent WMBS in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2018. They represented the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association in the 2004 IBC. For more than 20 years, the group has played festival stages, smoky bars, music clubs and private shows from Detroit to the West Michigan Lakeshore to Northern Indiana and Chicago. OFB has recorded five studio CDs and one live double-CD. Love & Sorrow was co-produced by OFB and Pete Galanis and primarily recorded at La Luna Studios in Kalamazoo.
