Honoring Irene Stearns, the Kalamazoo Gals, and Community Spirit at the Sounds of the Zoo Fundraiser at Bell’s
Sounds of the Zoo and Irene Stearns
When you meet Sounds of the Zoo founder Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert, you can’t help but get caught up in her energetic enthusiasm for Michigan music. She is a champion of local music, and her Sounds of the Zoo showcases the might of Michigan music. Over a week in Kalamazoo, Sounds of the Zoo provides free music featuring over 30 bands in venues across the city. A true labor of love, Sounds of the Zoo is entering its fourth year of celebrating Michigan music and showcasing Kalamazoo as a vibrant music destination.
Last week, on January 29th, we headed out to Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo to show our support for Sounds of the Zoo at their annual fundraiser. This event not only serves to raise needed funds for Sounds of the Zoo to pay the bands while providing audiences with free entertainment, it celebrates one of the last surviving members of the Kalamazoo Gals, Irene Sterns. An added bonus for this evening was the author of the Kalamazoo Gals book, John Thomas, who shared the trailer for a new Kalamazoo Gals documentary.
Kalamazoo Gals
We met Jennifer at GIG – The Art of Michigan Music last November and had a chance to talk more at the Sounds Like Michigan fundraiser for the Michigan Music Alliance. It was here that we learned about the Kalamazoo Gals. While I knew a bit about the Gibson guitar history in Kalamazoo, this chapter was brand new.
The Kalamazoo Gals were the women who kept the Gibson guitar plant running during World War II. Between 1942 and 1945, they built unique and highly prized acoustic guitars with a banner on the headstock that reads, “Only a Gibson is Good Enough.” John Thomas’s book Kalamazoo Gals captures their story.
Irene Stearns Day
During John’s research into the Kalamazoo Gals and their work at Gibson, he befriended Irene Stearns, a Kalamazoo native. As he mentioned at the Sounds of the Zoo fundraiser, Irene became part of John’s family. Irene is one of the last surviving women who worked at Gibson during World War II.
Jennifer and John Thomas became friends working together three years ago (2022) to have the city of Kalamazoo proclaim January 30th as Irene Stearns Day in honor of her work at Gibson, contributions to the community, and her 100th birthday. This evening, the day before Irene’s 103rd birthday, the video celebrating her 100th birthday was shown. It is a heartwarming tribute:
Irene joined the celebration at the Sounds of the Zoo fundraiser virtually via computer. With Jennifer and John leading the way, everyone sang her happy birthday. Another Gibson employee, Hazel, who worked at the factory in Kalamazoo from 1947 to 1982, was also in attendance. Hazel is a spry 104 years old.
The Kalamazoo Gals Documentary
In addition to celebrating Irene Stearns Day, the Sounds of the Zoo fundraiser included the world premiere of the trailer for the new Kalamazoo Gals documentary. The trailer grabs you with this incredibly compelling story. I felt a shiver of excitement knowing that the story of these hard-working women would be shared around the world.
You’ll be able to watch this short film at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo on September 26th as part of Sounds of the Zoo 2025.
Celebration with Music
The ultimate goal of Sounds of the Zoo is to spotlight the music of Michigan and focus on the rich music history of Kalamazoo while stoking up the variety of venues that make it a music destination.
Kicking off the music festivities at the Sounds of the Zoo fundraiser was author John Thomas playing his Banner Gibson. He then invited his friend and jazz guitarist John Stein to the stage. John played a fine rendition of the standard “Misty” as well as his original composition “Mistified,” which leverages the chords from “Misty.”
In tribute to Irene, John Thomas and Lisa Mackie (The Incantations) played “Kalamazoo Gal,” with Lisa providing gently touching vocals.
Next up were Ellis & M.E. The acoustic trio was joined by John Thomas and John Stein for a song. The trio then played a fantastic cover of “Teach Your Children” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
The duet of Detroit blues artist Chris Canas with Kalamazoo’s Marisa Aguirre provided a rousing set of acoustic blues. Fitting in with the evening’s theme and adding Motown swing, they tweaked the title of The Temptations “My Girl’ calling theirs “My Gal.”
Adding an indie rock glow to the evening was Zero Sun. This young band from Kalamazoo has an Oasis meets The Verve flirting with Kings of Leon vibe. Closing out the Sounds of the Zoo fundraiser were The Incantations. They have been making a name in the country and folk scenes. Hearing them reminded me of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, and Lucinda Willaims in that it is humble and honest music brimming with emotion.
Sounds of the Zoo and Pictures Too
Sounds of the Zoo runs from September 22 through 28th, 2025, in Kalamazoo. Be sure to keep an eye on their website and social media for band announcements. Don’t miss the Kalamazoo Gals documentary premiere on September 26th at Bronson Park.
For more photos from the Sounds of the Zoo fundraiser and Irene Stearns Day celebration, stop by our gallery.
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