Ktown Connects

This week, we connect with Gina Marie, lead singer of Would You Kindly? who is also joined by band manager Josh Maglasang. We get into the band's early days, why they are re-recording their first three albums, and so much more!  This Friday, October 23rd, check them out live at Union Park Tavern!   Learn more about the band, check out their videos, listen to the music, and much more at their...

“I’m living the live I’ve always wanted.”  - Aaron Hunzinger   We take the show in a little different direction with a returning guest this week, one of our favorite persons, Aaron Hunzinger, comes back to the show. Aaron, known also under his artist moniker of AHdidit, talks about his two biggest loves in his life: his family and his art.   In addition to co-managing Evanston Awning Company with...

We connect with Briana, owner of Von Lee Vintage , and Gabbi, of Moda Bella Salon & Spa . These two amazing ladies are bringing fashion downtown in a big way as organizers of the Fine Print: A Kenosha Charity Fashion Show on Saturday, October 17th at The Marianne (formerly The Vault) - with 100% of proceeds benefiting Women's and Children's Horizons!   Fine Print delivers high fashio...

How do you properly celebrate 200 episodes of Ktown Connects? We throw a huge party, invite our past guests and have a rapid-fire afternoon of hilarity and hometown connections. If you were unable to attend, or just want to relive that magical day, here is our 200th Episode Spectacular featuring a wide array of special guests: Lou Rugani, Anthony Kennedy, Spirit Shakers, Trish and Boda of Faded Ba...

What goes on with our Kenosha County Board? What is the Kenosha County Board? We get these questions and more answered as we connect with Supervisors Sarah Kirby of District 9, and Stephanie Knezz of District 2, this week! You will have a front row seat to the decisions shaping our community this week as we connect with these brilliant community leaders.   Follow Stephanie's blog here for the...

You may not have met Rose Androwich yet, she's only been in Kenosha for about a year, but chances are good that you have already read her work as the Business Reporter for the Kenosha News! We connect with Rose and talk about her early days in Berwyn, Illinois, how she fell in love with journalism in high school and what brought her to Kenosha. Rose quickly fell in love with her new hometown...

If you are a vintage shopper, you might be familiar with Revival Room Resale, 3417 14th Ave. If you aren’t a vintage shopper one bit – you will still enjoy this episode as we connect with the vibrant duo of Madeyln and Sydney. Best friends who had a dream and chased it. We had a lot of fun with these ladies and this one was tough to edit ( subscribe to Patreon to listen to the 3+ hour version ). R...

There's a new pancake flipper in town! Yes, the rumors are true! Pablo and Diana Escribano have purchased Franks Diner and will take over full ownership at the end of the month. We had to get the scoop straight from Pablo!  This episode was recorded at the Ktown Connects Southport Tea studio on July 16th, 2026.  Get your Ktown Connects merchandise at The Lettering Machine, 725 50th St.   Drop...

Let’s get this par-tea started as we connect with Russ Collier – owner and operator of Southport Tea, located at 5701 Sixth Ave in Downtown Kenosha. We dive deep into Russ growing up in Winthrop Harbor – a community so devoid of activities, that his family had to regularly visit our fine city of Kenosha for recreation and fun. Russ has an interesting story which brings him to the bustling city of...

Turn this one up to 11 as we connect with local music legend and community leader Rick Branch! Rick grew up not far away, in Zion, and had a love of music that began as a young boy influenced by records his parents would play growing up. By the time he reached his teens, he began singing in garage bands and establishing lifelong connections in the local music scene.  Today, Rick is the singer of T...

Ole Johnson is a young man with passion. His love for history and the theatrical experience led to meeting Jeff Baas, owner of the Kenosha Theatre, 5919 Sixth Ave. For decades, Baas has worked to restore the 1927 theatre which has been closed since 1963. Ole Johnson has come on board as a “volunteer spokesperson” for the theatre, doing what Ole says, “a favor nobody asked for.”  He is the organize...

Today we connect with Ann Morelli. Ann and her husband, Tom opened Morelli’s Deli in 1998. For the past 28 years, this dynamic duo and their staff have been serving up some of the best hot beef, deli sandwiches, and soups to the Kenosha community. Ann talks about her and Tom’s past experience with convenience stores which led to their success taking over what was formerly Southport Pantry and prio...

Kenosha Book Festival is held across the street from Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave., the third Sunday of the month this summer: May 17th, June 21st, July 19th, August 16th, September 20th, and BOOK-O-WEEN on Saturday, October 31st.   We have a variety of guests today, including event organizer, author, and Studio Moonfall owner, Donovan Scherer.   Stop in to Studio Moonfall or see him this summer...

What do we got brewing here? It’s Trevor Brooks of Kenosha Coffee Roasters !   We connect with Trevor and chat about his younger days being mentored by Keno-core punk rock legends, remembering old friends and recalling the days as a Reuther student where he wandered the neighborhood and felt a special connection to the Cast Iron Front building on 11th and 55th St .  Kenosha Coffee Roasters is loca...

From his young years being surrounded by musicians and music lovers, to becoming a child care worker, to summoning the spirit of a pretentious cranky blues musician, we connect with Danny Crucianelli of Old Brown Shoes!  Follow Old Brown Shoes on Facebook and Instagram to be up to date on all his upcoming performances!   Old Brown Shoes takes the stage on the last Sunday of every month at Rustic R...

The final stop of our World Tour 26 brings us to Franks Diner where we sit down with Chuck Nelson, owner of Rustic Road, 5706 Sixth Ave. We talk with Chuck about his previous career, why Kenosha, and dig deep into his love life!   Rustic Road Brewing Company is Downtown Kenosha’s premiere craft brewer. They have 14 beers on tap with a rotating selection of their dozens of recipes – brewed right th...

We get weird as we sit down and get to know Lori and Neva – the mother/daughter team behind Kenosha’s newest and most unique vintage shop – Pretty Weird, 4706 Seventh Avenue.   From taxidermy of all kinds, odd jewelry, clothing that your eccentric aunt may have worn, strange pieces of art, and so much more, Pretty Weird needs to be seen to be believed! Stop in to see them Thurdays and Fridays, Noo...

We sit down with two of our favorite people at Public Brewing Company – General Manager Rex and Executive Chef Josh for this mini-conversation to talk beer, cheese, and more.  Unfortunately, on April 6, 2026, just a few weeks after recording this episode, Lakefront Brewing, announced they were shutting down Public Brewing immediately and indefinitely. Sad day in Kenosha.  This episode was recorded...

From vandalizing Dairy Queen to a billion streams! Luke Olson sits down with us for a live appearance at Union Park Tavern to talk about his life and music. As the lead vocalist of the indie-rock band The Walters, Olson saw the group go through its share of ups and downs before their signature song “I Love You So” became a viral sensation on TikTok.  In addition to The Walters, Luke stays busy per...

It’s getting spooky in here, as we connect with Chelsea, the owner and operator of Kenosha’s one and only horror-themed bar – The Final Girl, 7546 Sheridan Road. In addition to the spectacular murals strewn across the bar, five pinball games, and a bunch of board games for your amusement, The Final Girl also has a wide selection of alcohol and THC drinks and a one-of-a-kind food menu! Check out th...

As a youngster growing up in Kenosha, Braxton Molinaro discovered his love for theater. A passion that has only grown stronger through time. Braxton has honed his craft from coast to coast and has brought a taste of these high-quality performances back to Kenosha working with the KAPA Repertory Theatre with recent shows, Stuart Little, Wonka, and the now famous Little Shop of Horrors performance o...

Coming from a Greek family with deep restaurant roots, Dino Katris tried to escape his ultimate destiny – but he always came back to restaurants. In just a short time, Dino has become recognized for honoring the legacy of classic eateries while giving them renewed energy.   Most recently he helped bring a downtown restaurant back with Mr. Yee’s, 5030 Sixth Ave. , he is also involved in Yogi’s Pud’...

What is happening here? Ktown Connects is reaching across the border! We connect with JJ McAuliffe, owner of McAuliffe’s Pub, 3700 Meachem Road in Racine!  JJ knew the assignment and he came to talk, so enjoy this super-sized episode! We get to know young JJ – how he discovered his love for metal and punk rock as a kid, to booking bands in the 80’s, his issue with Elvis Costello, and how he evolve...

Today we connect with Michelle Pedicone, owner of 58 Below, 504 58th St., home of the best rock and roll stage in Kenosha. We talk to her about growing up in Kenosha, opening the bar with her husband Dom (who passed in 2020), and how she is carrying on his legacy.   Follow their website for a full schedule of upcoming shows – most of them with NO COVER CHARGE!   In addition to the great live music...

On this special episode, we connect with Ron Purtee and JJ McAuliffe to talk about BLANKFEST 19 coming to McAuliffe’s Pub, 3700 Meacham Road in Racine for three days – Friday, December 12th – Sunday, December 14th. Admission is one new or gently used clean blanket which will be given out to local charities. Enjoy a weekend of great entertainment at this iconic Racine establishment while helping ou...