Creative Cafe

Kristen interviews Hannah Elless and Jeremy Koch about Hanah's return to Kalamazoo after thirteen years, her career on Broadway, and the importance of hometown support.  Originally aired on Saturday, May 13, 2023, 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 Kalamaz...

Eric Oliphant interviews Cori Somers, and Josiah DeNooyer about their careers gigging in the arts, and the panel discussion is to take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 5:30 pm at the Clover Room in the Edison Neighborhood.  This program originally aired on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 8 am on WKZO 90 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalam...

We interview Brent Harris, Head of Sculpting, and Ellen Vandermyde, Director of Enrichment from the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts about their work in our community surrounding public art.  See their work at the May Art Hop, on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 5 - 8 pm in Kalamazoo, MI.  Originally aired on Saturday, May 29, 2023 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a progr...

We interview Nicki Poer, the Arts Council's new Director of Engagement about her career, her artistic skills, and her return to supporting the arts through this new position. Originally aired on April 22, 2023 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 Kal...

We interview Harry Phillips about all of the great reasons why we need to patronize the State Theatre in downtown Kalamazoo, including upcoming shows!  Originally broadcast on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a program of the Art Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

We interview Bob Rowe founder and chief musician for Renaissance Enterprises, a local non-profit that brings music and entertainment to those who otherwise would not be able to go see an event. Originally aired on April 8, 2023, 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 Great...

Kristen Chesak interviews Kim Shaw, Programs Director, for the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo about the long-standing Busking Program in downtown Kalamazoo.  She also interviews Eric Oliphant about the new semi-Monthly Member Meetups designed to connect Arts Council members. Originally aired on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Mi.  Creative Cafe is a p...

We talk about the Artist Call Board - available to Arts Council members that help identify opportunities in our community for paid gigs.  We also outlined the grant programming for 2023 available to artists and arts organizations for 2023 as well as workshops that will help you get funded!  Originally aired on Saturday, March 25, 2023, on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is...

We interview Brad Wong, Director of the Fontana Chamber Arts organization in Kalamazoo, MI.  We talk about his background, his interests, and why he chose to step into a new role after retirement. We also learn about what coming up for the Fontana Chamber Arts.  Originally aired on March 18, 2023, at 8 am on WKZO AM 590 and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council...

We interview Pierre van der Westhuizen about his background in music, and the great work being done by the Gilmore International Piano Festival.  Originally aired 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

We interview Cathy Huling about her career and the 40th Anniversary of the Ballet Arts Ensemble.  Originally aired on Saturday, March 4, 2023, 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

We interview Kate Yancho, Executive Director of the Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers about the Regional Alternative Dance Festival that takes place the first weekend in March here in Kalamazoo.  It is in its 14th year and going strong.  This program originally aired on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 8 am on WKZO AM 590 and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts...

We interview Marissa Harrington about the history and evolution of the Face Off Theatre Company and a run down of this year's offerings.  Originally aired on Saturday, February 18, 2023 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...

We interview L Samantha Zhang about her new children's book, The First Lantern Festival.  We also talk about the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy, Chinese holidays, and her plans to continue to write and illustrate.  Originally aired on Saturday, February 11, 2023 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...

We take a look at On This Day in History in the Arts, Things Going on Around Town, and interview Jon Hayes, a local musician, who is releasing his first album this month!  Originally aired on February 4, 2023, 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 Ka...

We talk about what's happening around town, a new grant program, and we interview Jeanne Fields, a local artist who has a new show in the Westin Gallery at the Epic Center, entitled "Dare to Be Aware, Our Planet Needs You".  Originally aired on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of G...

Kristen interviews Lucy Waters, Community Programs Manager, and Kenjji Jumane Marshall, the Media content and Technology Coordinator, about Kalamazoo's Public Media Network.  They chat about the instrumental voice that this organization gives to our community.   Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen Chesak And Kim Shaw talk about the history of Art Hop, its journey in our community, and the wonderful things planned for Art Hop 2023.  Originally aired on Saturday, January 14, 2023, 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 take a trip down memory lane and talk about all things art on December 7 in history, and then we interview Rob Barrett about his work being exhibited in the Westin Gallery through the month of January.  We discuss techniques and his vision for his work.  Originally aired on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Creative Cafe is a program of the...

We look at all of the great holiday celebrations happening in and around Kalamazoo, as well as interview Deb Droppers about the 2022 New Year's Fest for Kalamazoo, MI.  Originally aired on December 24, 2022 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.org

We interview Karen Trout, Community Engagement Librarian, about the benefits of reading and reading out loud.  Originally aired on Saturday, December 31, 2022, 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

We look at what happened on December 17th in the art world throughout history, plus what is going on in Kalamazoo this week.  We also interview Janet Gover, a once-Advertising Rep turned Marketing Director turned Advertising Director, about the difference between advertising, publicity, and promotion in the arts.  She also discusses how all of them are so important.  Originally aired on Saturday,...

We look at interesting arts events on December 10th in History, what is happening around town this week, and part II of the Community Medal of Art interview with Cal Gill-Street, one of the founding members of the Velvelettes.  Originally aired on December 10, 2022 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 C...

We interview John Speeter, Cal Gill-Street, and Patricia Carlin about the Community Medal of Arts 2022.  Patricia Carlin nominated Bertha Barbee McNeal and Caldin Gill-Street.  Originally aired on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  A program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kala...

We interviewed Krystal Gast, co-founder of Jerico, a maker's space in the Edison Neighborhood in Kalamazoo, MI.  Jerico is the 2022 recipient of the Business Arts Award.  We also interviewed Stephanie Hinman, Executive Director of the State Theatre.  She is this year's recipient of the Gayle Hoogstraten Arts Leadership Award in Administration.  Both will be honored at the Community Arts...