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The K'zoo Folklife Mission
"To promote the presentation and preservation of multicultural, traditional and contemporary folk music, dance and arts for the education and enrichment of our community".
- History of the K'zoo Folklife Organization -
Friends are you interested in:
Teaching? Learning? Performing or Jamming?
Please think about joining the KFO!
"ELMO" our old logo from the mid 1960's coffeee house era.
The K'zoo Folklife Organization was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1985. It was a direct outgrowth of the folk music era "Canterbury Coffeehouse" initiated in 1968 on the campus of Western Michigan University. Many of the traditions and members are still active today. Over the years the KFO has brought to the Kalamaoo area some of the top artists in the field of acoustic music, such as: Leon Redbone, Utah Phillips, the Red Clay Ramblers and more.
In recent years we have partnered with many local organizations putting on benefits for worthy causes, featuring our local and regional entertainers. The 22nd annual "Loaves and Fishes" benefit was held this year, adding to the thousands of dollars and hundreds of pounds of food that have been collected over the years.
Finding good venues for acoustic musicians to play, such as our local farmers markets, have been an important way for us to connect and assist our local musicians. Concerts, workshops, jam sessions and family oriented events all continue to be the focus of the K'zoo Folklife Organization. Join us! Everyone is welcomed.
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