Creative Cafe

We interviewed artist Kim Shaw regarding her 2022 Community Arts Award for Leadership in Education, and we interviewed Syd Bastos, the 2022 recipient of the Theodore C. Cooper Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service.  Originally aired on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Creati...

We interview the 2022 Community Arts Awards Recipients of the Gayle Hooogstraten Arts Leadership Awards for Educators - Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard and Bridget Fox.   We are celebrating them at the Community Arts Awards on December 7, 2022, at 5:30 pm at the Gull Lake Center for Fine Arts.  This broadcast originally aired on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM in Kalamazoo, MI. This...

We interview Rehema Barber about the latest exhibition "Unmasking Masculinity" a collection of borrowed and permanent collection works.  We also congratulate Dann Sytsma, co-founder of Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, on their 2022 Epic Award.  Originally aired on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 96.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MIchigan. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Counc...

Kristen interviews Austin Rounds and his father Joe Rounds about his most recent successful as an illustrator and how he navigates the world as a neurodiverse artist.  She also announces the 2022 Community Medal of Arts recipients!  The celebration begins and will continue right through to Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 5:30 pm.  Originally aired on October 29 at 8 am on WKZO 590 am and 96.5 FM i...

We interview Stephanie Lee from Unwinding Movement, about her journey in mental/physical health and the arts and we discuss an open house at the Institute for Massage Education happening on Friday, November 11 from 4-6 pm. We also recap important events that happened on this day in history and upcoming local events in our community.  Originally aired on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 5...

In this episode, we highlight notable events on this day in history (October 15), as well as report out the cool events going on around town in Kalamazoo.  We also interview Ginger Owen-Murakami, Professor of Photography and Intermedia at Western MIchigan University along with two of her students, Jessalyn Kline, a Senior BFA Printmaker, and Lindsay Meeker, a Senior BFA Photographer about their up...

In addition to our regular "On This Day in History" and "What's Happening Now" segments, we interview Karen Bondarchuk, Professor of Art, at Western Michigan University, about her exhibition Ergo Sum: A Crow A Day, which is currently on display at the Richmond Center, on Western Michigan University's campus.  The exhibit explores a year in her life while she cared for...

IN addition to the segments - "On This Day In History"  and "What's Happening Around Town", we interview Brad Poer, Theatre Director, of the Theatre Program at Kellogg Community College about the program and their upcoming fall show - Rocky Horror Picture Show!  Originally aired on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 96.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  A program of...

We explore arts-related events in history during our "On This Day in History " segment, followed by a recap of What to Do Around Town, and then we talk with founder and Creative Director, Alessandra Pye, of the Chrysalis Institute about their Milkweed Learning Cohort for emerging BIPOC artists.  Originally aired on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM, and 96.5 FM in Kala...

We interview Bryan Zocher, Executive Director of Kresa Education for the Arts about the Community Arts Awards, and the impact of twho provide artistic experiences to our community and how we celebrate them.  Originally aired Saturday, September, 3, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 96.5 FM in Kalamazoo Michigan. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooAr...

We interview Alison Watson, the Executive Director of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council about the state arts council, their programming, and their upcoming visit to Kalamazoo!  Originally aired on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 96.5 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Eric Oliphant, Operations Director, interviews Ish Klein about neurodiversity in the arts, and our upcoming panel on the topic during the September 29 Artist Happy Hour .  Also This Day in History, and What's Happening Now! Originally aired on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 96.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. ...

We interview Earlene McMichael of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Jermaine Jackson of the Kalamazoo Public Library about the upcoming exhibit and play, A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine that illuminates the story of Henrietta Lacks and her ties to Kalamazoo.  We also get to speak with the featured artist of the October Art Hop, Nayda Collazo-Llorens about her work in digital art, and her car...

Kristen interviews Quincy Thomas, Professor of Theatre at Kalamazoo College, who talks about getting a liberal arts education at Kalamazoo College, and in the Theatre Department.  She also interviews David Kyhn, Scenic Designer, at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre about the internship program for designers, TDs, and Stage managers.   This program originally aired on WKZO 590 Am and 106.5 FM on Saturday...

Kristen interviews Adam Schumaker about the education programs for all ages at the Gilmore Piano Festival.  She also talks with Amy Thill, artist and educator with MRC Artworks in downtown Kalamazoo. This program originally aired on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  This is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Creative Cafe is a progra...

Membership Director, Eric Oliphant, interviews Ian Gorman of La Luna Recording Studio's ongoing free workshops.  Kristen Chesak  interviews Julie Devers, a Potter, about her work as an artist and arts educator at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Originally aired on WKZO 590 AM and 106.5 FM on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 8 am in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of...

Kristen interviews current Secrtary and past Chair of the Kalamazoo County Public Art Commission, Patrick Jouppi, about what the commission is tasked with accomplishing and how to interact with this important group regarding public art in Kalamazoo County She also interviews Kim Shaw, a local artist, and educator, about her new show in the Westin Gallery at the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo th...

Kristen interviews Associate Box Office Manager, Nicole Weber, about the new Community Box Office one year after its opening.   She also interviews Emily Duguay, Director of Arts Administration at WMU in Theatre and Dance, and Laura Henderson, Executive Director of All Ears Theatre about an inspirational consortium called Theatre Kalamazoo. Originally aired on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 8 am on WK...

Eric interviews Krystal Gast of Jerico and Start Here Coffee about her panel participation in the Arts Council's upcoming Artist Happy Hour.  Artist Happy Hour will focus on placemaking for artists in the Kalamazoo Area.  Kristen interviews Sandra Bremer, about her upcoming one-woman show that details her life as an actress touring the country and working in several different theatres through...

Miriam Thomas interviews Hannah Gregus about her work on display during the July 2022 Art Hop, and Kristen interviews Tony Mitchell and Paul Schaedig about their recent grant award to produce a full-length album by the group Basic Comfort. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Dani Lewis, the Programs Director at the Black Arts and Cultural Center, regarding all of the wonderful events scheduled in Kalamazoo, MI for the celebration of Freedom Day 2022.  They also speak about the Black Arts Festival 2022, scheduled to take place on July 9.  Originally aired on June 18, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a progra...

Kristen interviews John Speeter of Schlitz Creek Bluegrass Band about their summer schedule, as well as their history playing bluegrass in Kalamazoo County.  She also speaks to Jilisa Williams about Richland's July 8th Art Hop and the subsequent after-hop concert with the cover band SHOUT!  Originally aired on June 25, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 am and 106.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MI Creative Cafe i...

Kristen interviews Ed Menta, retired professor of theatre at Kalamazoo College, about his band Blueback, their origins, and their participation in Summertime Live.  She also talks with Twala Lockett-Jones, author of the just-released book "Princess Mackie Buys A House."  We discover how Twala used her talents and a grant to complete this chapter book that is intended to inspire young BIP...

Miriam Thomas interviews Dani Lewis of the Black Arts and Cultural Center about their plans for Art Hop and Bianca Washington interviews Ariel Koehler about her involvement as an artist in the upcoming Art on the Mall Festival.  Originally aired on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.5 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. ...

Listen to Kristen battle traffic and the winds while she chats with Tom Dockham of White Pine Furniture and April Seybold of Seybold Designs about their experiences as artists and festival artist in this year’s Art on the Mall. Originally aired on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.5 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home...