Creative Cafe

We sit down with Jane Ghosh, President and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo to discuss the tourism trends in Kalamazoo and how creative experiences help drive the local economy and vice versa. Originally aired on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Marie Lee, publisher and editor of Encore Magazine about the history of the magazine, its dedication to reporting on the arts, and the new center section of the magazine devoted solely to the arts.  Originally aired on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Megan Yankee, Executive Director of the Stulberg International Strings Competition about the history of the competition and what to expect during this year's competition.  Originally aired on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Carman Goodrich and Stephen Remenapp about Monoform Cinema - a group showing films in Kalamazoo at the Dormouse Theatre for the past year. We talk about the types of films they show and their plans for the upcoming year. Originally aired on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home -...

We interviewed Janine Chesak-Black almost a year ago celebrating the season and family, we are getting to publish it now.  Please enjoy some time with us as we learn about Janine Chesak-Black, her career in theatre, and a special reading of Little Women to celebrate the holiday season.  Originally aired on Saturday December 21 and 28, 2024, at 8 am, on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.   Creative Cafe is...

Kristen interviews Nick LaCasse, the new Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Musuem.  They talk about Nick's background and passion for museum work, and the many programs that the car museum has to offer.  Originally aired on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews two of the Community Medal of Arts Award recipients - Lanny Potts and Mary Whalen about their careers and accomplishments.  Join us to celebrate them on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7 pm at KVCC's Lake Auditorium.  Originally aired on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.5 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.   Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of...

Kristen interviews Andrea and Mike Glass - daughter and son of William Glass Rookwood Potter, whose work was in November Art Hop and will be in December Art Hop.  We also talked with Kim Shaw, programs director,  about the last Art Hop of 2024! Originally aired on Saturday, November 30, 2024, on 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamaz...

Kristen interviews Tracey Lawie, Director of Miller Auditorium about receiving one of the Epic Awards this year, and also talks with Elizabeth Start, a 2024 recipient of the Community Medal of Arts.  Originally aired on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Erin Sparks of DeNooyer Chevrolet about their Business Arts Award and Elizabeth Kerlikowske and Scott Bade about Friends of Poetry and their Epic Award!  Originally aired on Saturday, December 16, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews two recipients of the Gayle Hoogstraten Arts Leadership Award - Ben Gudbrandson for Education, and Kate Yancho for Administration. Originally aired on Saturday, November 9, 202, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.  The Community Arts Awards are on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7 pm on the 9th Street campus of KVCC.  RSVP here - 2024 Community Arts Awards - KalamazooArts.org . ...

Kristen interviews the two 2024 Adam F. Carter Young Artist Award Recipients - Carly Rose Koch and Courtney Gardner .  Originally aired on Saturday, November 2, 202, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.  The Community Arts Awards are on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7 pm on the 9th Street campus of KVCC.  RSVP here - 2024 Community Arts Awards - KalamazooArts.org .  Creative Cafe is a program of...

Kristen interviews Alec Wells, Judy Sarkozy, and Kim Shaw about the November 2024 Art Hop and Sarkozy Bakery's return to participation. They also chat about the other 40 stops available that night.  Originally aired on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Creative Cafe is a...

Kristen interviews Michelle Hargrave about her new role at the Kalamazoo Arts Institute and the 100 year milestone, and the activities planned to celebrate!  Originally aired on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Ho...

Kristen interviews Dann Sytsma, founder and CEO of Crawlspace Eviction about the journey from fledgling improv troupe to successful business in the newly repurposed First Baptist Church in Downtown Kalamazoo.  Originally aired on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts...

Eric Oliphant, Membership Director, interviews the panelists for our upcoming Artist Happy Hour at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, on How to Get the Gig. Eric talks with L. Sam Zhang, author and illustrator of The First Chinese Festivals Book Series; Evan Asher, a consultant from Mitchell Consulting Group; and Ellen Vandermyde, a local mural artist, about how to prepare your resume, portfolio, an...

Kristen interviews Jeremy Koch, Managing Artistic Director of Farmers Alley Theatre, about their 24-25 season!  Originally aired on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Catherine Ellis and John Speeter of the Kzoo Folklife Organization about their mission in our community, the ongoing annual festival, and their upcoming fundraiser benefitting Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.  Origially aired on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts COuncil of Greater Kalamazo...

Kristen interviews Jennifer Hudson-Penkert about the 3rd annual Sounds of the Zoo Festival!  Originally aired on Saturday, September 14, 2024, on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Brad Wong, director, of Fontana Chambers Arts, about the organization and the upcoming season of events.  Originally aired on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Aubrey Jewel Rodgers about her new exhibition, Resilience, set to open at Art Hop on September 6, 2024, in the Westin Gallery at the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  They also talk about the 40 stops that make up Art Hop for September and how to plan your evening. Originally aired on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 and 106.9 FM.  Creative Cafe is a program of th...

Kristen interviews Colin McKernan about his latest pivot in the music world, the Druid Drummer, and where you can see him perform.  Originally aired on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 8 am on 590 AM and 106.9 Fm in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Sandra Bremer and Bryan Zocher, past Community Medal of Arts Recipients, about their experience as a recipient and their thoughts on the importance of nominating artists in our community for the Community Arts Awards. Originally aired on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. Creative Café is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative C...

Membership Director Eric Oliphant interviews Ian Gorman, owner of La Luna Recording Studios; Chafe Hensley, co-owner of Weirder Wonderland; and Aubrey Jewel Rodgers, chair of Applied Arts and Media Technologies at KVCC ahead of our next Artist Happy Hour that will discuss generative artificial intelligence, where the data that populates AI’s platforms, and how to protect your intellectual property...

Kristen interviews Jamari Taylor about her life as a working artist in both murals, illustrations and teaching in Battle Creek and Grand Rapids. Originally aired on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - Kalamazoo...