SOUNDS OF THE ZOO RETURNS FOR ITS FOURTH YEAR

Kalamazoo, MI — Sept. 22–28, 2025 

WIDR FM is proud to support the return of Sounds of the Zoo, a free, week-long music festival taking over downtown Kalamazoo this fall! 

This year’s festival will feature:  

• 52 bands across 10 venues in 7 days 

• A wide mix of genres — hip-hop, jazz, folk, funk, soul, world music, and more 

• 50+ live performances, community panels, and industry workshops 

•  Special premiere of Kalamazoo Gals, honoring the women who built Gibson guitars during WWII (Sept. 26–27 in Bronson Park) 

The launch of a Second Line Parade on Friday, Sept. 26, led by the Great Lakes Brass — a joyful march through downtown ending at Bronson Park 

100% community-funded, FREE, and open to all ages 

📅 Festival Week at a Glance: 

Monday, Sept. 22 – The Clover Room at Jerico, 5–10 PM 

Tuesday, Sept. 23 – Bell’s Back Room, 6–10 PM 

Wednesday, Sept. 24 – Old Dog Tavern, 6–10 PM 

Thursday, Sept. 25 – Crawlspace Comedy Theatre (Jazz Night) & Green Door Distilling (Push the Zoo: Hip Hop & Culture), 6–10 PM 

Friday, Sept. 26 – Bronson Park, 4–10:30 PM + Second Line Parade + Kalamazoo Gals documentary premiere 

Saturday, Sept. 27 – Bronson Park, Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, & Kalamazoo Mall Busking, 12–10:30 PM 

Sunday, Sept. 28 – Bronson Park, 1–8 PM 

From funk, soul, rock, punk, and hip hop to jazz, folk, Afrobeat, and experimental — Sounds of the Zoo is more than a festival. It’s a bold, inclusive, and joyful celebration of music, culture, and community. 

 Learn more, view the full lineup, and find ways to support at soundsofthezoo.com .