Community Calendar

Olivia Van Goor returns to Kerrytown Concert House for her third appearance, this time honoring one of her greatest vocal inspirations: Anita O’Day. A self-described “song stylist,” Anita brought a bold, innovative sound to jazz that captivated Olivia early in her career. Through iconic recordings like “Tea for Two” and “Sweet Georgia Brown,” as well as hidden gems such as “Waiter, Make Mine Blues” and “Hershey Bar,” Olivia will trace Anita’s remarkable journey—a story of both triumph and turbulence. Joined by a stellar jazz trio, Olivia invites you to experience the legacy of a woman who defied the mold of the typical “girl singer” and reshaped the sound of vocal jazz forever.

Olivia Van Goor – Vocals
Scott Gwinnell – Piano
Reuben Stump – Bass
Dave Zwolinski – Drums

Brooklyn-based improviser-composer collective Tropos—featuring University of Michigan ’14 alum Yuma Uesaka—returns to Ann Arbor for a double bill with Kenji Lee’s Fortune Teller Trio. Rooted in the improvisational spirit of jazz and creative music while embracing the formal rigor and timbral curiosity of contemporary concert music, Tropos brings what critic Nate Chinen describes as an “engaging balance of precision and daring.” The set will feature new works alongside selections from Switches, developed through a workshop process with mentor Darius Jones. Fortune Teller Trio’s music similarly balances craft and spontaneity, making for an evening of thoughtfully composed forms, audacious improvisation, and shared musical values. Fortune Teller Trio features Kenji Lee (tenor saxophone), Andy Peck (double bass), and Jonathan Barahal Taylor (drums).

Set 1 – Fortune Teller Trio
Set 2 – Tropos

Archives are often imagined as dusty repositories of a community or country’s history, but building on its work to document Michigan and its oldest University, staff at the Bentley Library have changed that. Join us to hear former Bentley Director Fran Blouin discuss how Bentley archivists forged connections with colleagues in China, Denmark, post-apartheid South Africa, the Vatican, and many more countries and how those ties helped build both the Bentley and U-M’s international fame.

Refreshments will be provided.

Back by popular demand, pianist Joel Schoenhals returns to the House with the second concert in The Schubert Project, an ongoing celebration of the masterworks of Franz Schubert.
The evening features the Sonata in D Major, D. 850, a radiant and exhilarating work filled with lyricism, rhythmic energy, and sweeping virtuosity.

The concert concludes with one of Schubert’s most powerful and intimate creations, the Fantasy in F Minor for Four Hands, performed with his wife, pianist Bing Li.

Known for performances that combine warmth, brilliance, and expressive depth, Schoenhals consistently fills the House—and audiences’ hearts. Join us for an unforgettable night of Schubert at his most bold and dramatic.

Joel Schoenhals, piano
With special guest Bing Li, piano

By using his imagination and a simple electronic device to record and play back loops as he performs, Håkon Kornstad realizes in concert the idea so aptly expressed by the title of his album Symphonies in My Head. His instrumental skill is unsurpassed: beautiful tone on whichever saxophone he selects, percussive sounds made by the use of the instrument’s keys and tonguing techniques, a colorful palette broadened by the expert use of overtones. Rhapsodic, improvised melodies glide over sonic layers that grow into an orchestral accompaniment. This artistic richness would be enough for most, but Kornstad’s restless curiosity took him into unexpected territory. He found new inspiration in opera and developed his voice as an operatic tenor. Bringing his two tenors together, saxophonist and singer, he has created an unprecedented sound, an evocative “tenor battle” that emerges in the single person of this singular artist.

Sopranos Kimwana Doner and Kira Slovaček will present an eclectic program of classical vocal repertoire, featuring works by Verdi, Dvořák, Chopin, William Bolcom and more! Join us for an entertaining evening as we explore themes of passion, triumph and adversity, celebrating the strength of the human condition.

In this final installment of this season’s All About the Trio series the trio will be joined by a collective of special guests to present a retrospective of different takes on the classic American Songbook standard. Versions referenced will include Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Ahmad Jamal, Modern Jazz Quartet, John Coltrane and the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Audience questions are welcome!

Join us for an enjoyable, improvisatory and interactive afternoon of jazz in the House!

Ellen Rowe (piano); Paul Keller (bass); Pete Siers (drums); Kenji Lee (tenor saxophone); Sunny Wilkinson (vocalist), Justin Walter (trumpet); Cary Kocher (vibraphone)

This is the fifth season of 2 Stones Events’ monthly concert series – Ciao!Jazz focusing on a wide variety of the jazz genre. Two separate shows (limited to 100 seats per) each evening – 6 and 8:30pm; doors open 30 minutes prior. ‘Cash-only’ (literally) bar: Please, only call the restaurant (810-227-9000) for dinner reservations upstairs before or after your show!

For her Ciao!Jazz shows, this fabulous singer will be backed by an all-star lineup featuring Cliff Monear, keys; Jeff Pedraz, bass; Sean Dobbins, drums; and Ingrid Racine, trumpet.

The following excerpt was written by Christy Frank for One In Six:

Ramona Collins, 76, is a powerhouse entertainer from Toledo, Ohio, known for her versatile talents as a singer, songwriter, actress, emcee, educator, and radio personality. A staple of the regional music scene for over 50 years, Ramona has captivated audiences with her sultry voice and masterful delivery of jazz, blues, Motown classics, and more. Whether performing solo or with a group, she has a knack for connecting with diverse crowds, from intimate jazz clubs to large festivals. She frequently performs at senior centers, where members end up joyfully dancing to her songs.
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Born in Toledo and raised in Lansing, Michigan, Ramona grew up under the influence of her mother, the late Alice Carter, a jazz pianist and singer who fostered her daughter's musical passion. This early encouragement helped Ramona overcome her shyness and transform into the dynamic performer she is today. Her rich repertoire, coupled with her natural charisma, has made her one of the most in-demand entertainers in the region.
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With performances spanning Toledo, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and beyond, Ramona remains a beloved figure in the region, celebrated not only for her incredible voice but also for her unwavering dedication to the art of entertainment. Fans and audiences alike eagerly anticipate every opportunity to experience this remarkable talent live.”

Join us on May 1, 2026, as Fresh Start Clubhouse celebrates 26 years of changing lives through community, purpose, and possibility. This special Giving Day event honors the impact of engaging in meaningful activities, fostering social connections, and building on strengths to support recovery and well-being.

Fresh Start Clubhouse provides a collaborative and restorative environment where members develop problem-solving, vocational, and life skills through shared work and mutual support. Giving Day is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements, learn more about our mission, connect with the community, and support a model that empowers individuals through dignity, belonging, and meaningful participation.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to Fresh Start, we invite you to celebrate, give back, and be part of a community that believes recovery happens best together.