A new, free music festival is coming to Kalamazoo this fall.

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MLive reports the multicultural music festival, "Sounds of the Zoo", is planned for Monday, Sept. 26 - Sunday, Oct. 2.

Organizer Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert tells MLive that the new event is patterned after South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, and will be an "educational music festival that offers workshops and presentations that explore a wide variety of musical topics designed to inform anyone that’s involved or interested in the music industry." Sounds of the Zoo will also seek to bring awareness to mental health and environmental sustainability.

Classes and concerts are planned each day of the festival at different indoor and outdoor venues across Kalamazoo.

Previously, Hudson-Prenkert has worked with the Michigan Music Alliance and organized the 2017 Arcadia Ales Riversedge music series at the former Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo.

Sounds of the Zoo is privately funded an supported by the City of Kalamazoo.

Hudson-Prenkert tells MLive,

I see this festival as a valid way to help connect our community and to give people a reason to come to Kalamazoo, while also brining awareness to mental health and environmental sustainability.

Locations and festival lineup have yet to be announced. It does not appear that a website or social media pages have been created yet for the event. We'll keep you updated when we learn more!

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