Creative Cafe

Kristen interviews Marvinetta Penn, a recent transplant from Chicago, Illinois, about her group Global Girls, a female empowerment group.  She is also a voice-over artist, writer, performer, and workshop facilitator.  Her background as an English and Theatre instructor gives her a unique perspective on how storytelling creates a foundation for healthy girls that grow into whole, productive, happy...

Kristen interviews Lachan Niedbala, the Artistic Director and founder of Movement Reservoir Dance Company, about her experience and background in modern dance, how this company came to be, as well as some upcoming events with the company.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 20, 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 Kal...

Kristen interviews Alison Watson, the director of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council about the recent changes to the granting process, and the new goals that the MACC hopes to achieve.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 13, 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 Coun...

Kristen interviews Sharmane Flanders and Kim Shaw about this month's Art Hop slated for Friday, July 12, 2024, from 5 - 8 pm.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 6, 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 Syd Bastos and Sharmane Flanders about the wonderful opportunities provided by the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center. We also talk with Sharmane Flanders, a local artist working with the VCAC, about her work in the community and with the Center. Originally aired on Saturday, June 26, 2024, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of th...

Executive Director Kristen Chesak interviewed Kristian Walker about his career in photography and the upcoming classes he will be teaching.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen Interviews Kama Mitchell and Heather Mitchell about Rootead's community collaborations for the Juneteenth 2024 celebration in Bronson Park! Originally aired on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 8 am 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 interviewed three participants who lived at the Art on the Mall Festival in Downtown Kalamazoo: Kate Fulton from the Fulton Foundry, Shay Church from Grayling Ceramics, and Summer Rain from Glass Art Kalamazoo. Kim Shaw, program director, discussed the particulars of the festival.  The Art on the Mall Festival took place on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, 2024, in downtown Kalamazoo....

Kristen interviews Olivia Mendoza and Kim Shaw about the upcoming Art on the Mall, June 7 and 8, 2024  in downtown Kalamazoo.  She also interviews band member McKenna Grody from Prior Noon as we gear up for another year of Concerts in the Park. Originally aired on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creat...

Eric Oliphant, membership director, talks with Connar Klock, Drue McPherson, Heather Mitchell, and Dell Darnell about the upcoming Artist Happy Hour: Queer Artists Showcase, happening on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 2 pm. Originally aired on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 8 am 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 t...

Kristen interviews Janine Seals, executive director, and Dani Lewis, programs director of the Black Arts and Cultural Center and their plans for the programs and future of the BACC, as well as the exciting events planned for the Black Arts Festival 2024 happening in July.  Origianlly aired on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater...

Eric interviews Josiah DeNooyer about his work in the music industry and the drop of his new album, which will soon be released.  Originally aired on Saturday, May 11, 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 Kristen interviews Jilisa Williams, Executive Director of the Richland Area Community Center. Harry Phillips, Marketing and Development Director, and Annie Pryor,  a recreation program manager for the City of Portage Parks and Recreations Department, about the 118 free concerts scheduled around our community this summer. Originally aired on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO...

Kristen interviews Kim Shaw, Programs Director, and Lynn Houghton, Regional History Curator for Western Michigan University about the May Art Hop.  We talk about a special walking tour that Lynn will conduct during Art Hop involving public art.  We also discuss the 52 stops available for the May Art Hop.  Originally aired on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.  Creative...

Eric interviews Stacy Belinsky, a member artist who is a large part of Kzoo Makers.  Her most recent endeavor is a Coloring Party for Stress Relief. Originally aired on Saturday, April 20, 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 - Kalam...

Kristen interviews Michael Evans, Executive Director of the Literacy Council, about what they do for the community and the new arts project in the Edison Neighborhood called Literacy Lane!  Originally aired on Saturday, April 13, 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...

Kristen interviews Kim Shaw, Programs Director, Annabelle Fuerst and Payton Carter of Payton&Annabelle about the Blue Skies Busking Program in Downtown Kalamazoo. Originally aired on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 8 am 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 - Kalam...

Kristen interviews Pierre Van der Westhuizen about the 2024 Gilmore Piano Festival, an International Piano Festival right here in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Originally aired on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 8 am 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

We interview Stephen DuPuie, executive director, and Eana Agopian, programs director of the Edison Neighborhood Association, about their programming and the new Washington Ave Art + Culture Crawl.  Originally aired on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 8 am on 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 Grea...

Kristen interviews Cori Somers about the creation and recent activities at the Clover Room located in the Jerico complex in the Edison neighborhood.  Originally aired on Saturday, March 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.   Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Joan Herrington, Chair of the School of Theatre and Dance at Western Michigan University.  They talk about the upcoming production of Argonautika, the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece as retold by playwright Mary Zimmerman. Originally aired on Saturday, March 9, 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 Gre...

Kristen interviews Jeff Abshear, Executive Director, about the history and programming that the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center brings to Kalamazoo.  Originally aired on Saturday, March 2, 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 - KalamazooA...

Kristen interviews Kim Shaw, Programs Director, Kellen Deau, Kalamazoo RESA art instructor, and Francesca, Kalamazoo RESA EFA dance instructor about their Art installation in the Westin Gallery for the March Art Hop 2024.  Originally aired on Saturday, February 24, 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. Creat...

Kristen interviews Rachel Miller, Festival Director, and Kate Yancho, Executive Director of Wellspring about RAD Fest 15, set to take place February 29 through March 3, 2024.  Originally aired on Saturday, February 17, 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 G...

Kristen interviews Amy Thill, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, on the Signs of Peace Project which culminates with a community art show at the Alcott Center at the Community Living Options.  Originally aired on Saturday, February 10, 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 pro...