Things to Do in Kalamazoo

A glittering, two-story marquee and Spanish-style terra-cotta façade extols the Michigan Theater of Jackson's 82-year history to anyone who passes. Established in 1930, the theater originally presented movies and vaudeville shows to the public, who viewed the spectacles from the lower level or balcony seated between gilded columns under an ornate, plaster ceiling. Though the entertainment industry continued to evolve, The Michigan Theatre retained much of its lavish, vintage charm—including rich, damask draperies, stained-glass light fixtures, and WWII-era Pacman machines—until it closed down in 1978. The historical theater was acquired in 1993 by a not-for-profit organization, which reopened the theater's doors and restored the building to its current state.

Today, the entertainment hub hosts classic and art-house films as well as live theater and concerts. In the first-floor lobby, an old-fashioned candy counter sells sweets and popcorn to make sure audiences have something to throw at the screen during midnight screenings of Chinatown.

As a child, Pia Hamilton danced as Min on the children’s TV show Barney and Friends. Nowadays, she continues to showcase her love of dance at Intrigue Dance and Performing Arts Center, an all-ages studio she co-owns with her husband, actor Dustin Hamilton. The camera-seasoned duo has opened a spacious new facility that houses three dance studios, offering classes such as ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. They also host musical-theater classes that impart genre-specific dance tips, such as never to dance directly in front of Annie. They accommodate multiple skill levels, introducing both kids and adults to the world of dance.

The passionate and motivational instructors will have you leaping, spinning, backflipping, triple sow cowing, twiddly diddling, aluminum baseball-batting, and founding fathering in no time at the ODC Dance Commons. Choose from a wide variety of classes offered every day of the week. ODC's myriad movement disciplines include Rhythm & Motion Dance Workout, modern, Latin, ballet, Afro-Cuban, hip hop, Feldenkrais, and more. All classes are taught by experienced, reputable dance professionals who can tell a volcada from an echappe from an alpaca.

Nature has proved that dance is an effective way of attracting mates and restoring forgotten celebrities to the public eye. Strut your ballroom stuff, hop your funky hips, or practice the perfect pirouette with today's Groupon to Society Hill Dance Academy: $35 gets you one 45-minute private dance lesson for an individual or a couple, a $120 value. You can choose the style of dance you want to learn, including ballet, ballroom, hip-hop, and belly dance. Plus, this Groupon gives you a chance to practice your moves and socialize with fellow dancers at one of Society Hill's dance parties every Thursday at 9:15 p.m. at SHDA's Center City location, an additional $20 value for couples. Follow @Groupon_Says on Twitter.

During the final edit of Slumdog Millionaire, a movie some Americans consider very Indian, director Danny Boyle struggled to find an appropriate way to capture the joy of the film's conclusion. Just as he was about to scrap the entire project, Boyle had a moment of inspiration: create a brand-new dance style for the cast to perform during the closing credits. He envisioned the barefoot dancers with ornate, flowing costumes incorporating a heavy dose of jazz hands. After spending weeks honing the moves in front of his personal assistant, he knew that his dance form, which he called Bhangra, was the perfect ending to what the Academy deemed a perfect film.

The Bounce Castle’s sprawling floor hosts a fleet of inflatable obstacle courses, ball pits, and a slide that plunges from the ceiling to the ground. As little ones jump, climb, and play, their parents can supervise from a comfy lounge with free wireless internet, magazines, and a TV that automatically shuts down when a cartoon program comes on. The Bounce Castle’s kid-friendly inflatables accommodate open play seven days a week, as well as birthday parties.