Creative Cafe

Kristen interviews Jeremy Koch, Artistic Director from Farmers Alley Theatre, the only equity theatre in Kalamazoo.  We also interview Interim Marketing Director Simon Thalmann of Kellogg Community College about the many artistic opportunities at the College as well as several community-college collaborations.  Originally aired on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in...

Kristen interviews Dr. Ying Zeng, Director of Asian Initiatives, the Soga Japan Center, and the Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies on the virtual Lunar New Year celebration for 2022!  We also talk with Sydney Davis, Executive Director of the Black Arts and Cultural Center on their move to a new space downtown, and the planned activities for the year! Originally aired on Saturday, January 29,...

Eric interviews Kenjji Jumanne Marshall on PMN's member benefits that are extended to Arts Council members, and Kristen explores the most recent projects undertaken by Tanisha Pyron, director, actress, photographer, and spoken-word artist in Kalamazoo.  Originally aired on January 22, 2022, on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of G...

Kristen interviews Nicole Lee, Felicia Thomas, and Helga Rubino-Hunter founders of the Artists of Color Initiative in Kalamazoo about their organizations and the Gun Violence Mural and event in LaCrone Park.  She also interviews Marissa Harrington, one of the founding members of the Face Off Theatre Company.  Originally aired on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo Michigan on Saturday, January 1...

Kristen interviews Dwandra Lampkin, star of the one-woman show, "The Conviction of Lady Lorraine" and Deanna Omoniyi, Program Director for Beadventure and the Handmade Boutique, two artist-centric organizations under the same roof in downtown Kalamazoo.  Originally aired on Saturday, January 8, 2022, on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Ka...

Eric, Bianca, and Kristen recap the highlights of art in Kalamazoo from 2021 and offer best wishes for 2022. 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.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews Harry Phillips, the Marketing Director for the State Theatre in Kalamazoo, MI - recently added to the national registry of historic places, and also interviews Jessica Mallow Gulley, the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra on their 100-year anniversary milestone.  Originally aired on December 18, 2021, on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI Creative Cafe...

Kristen interviews KVCC Professor Mark DeYoung and former student  Liz Weddon on the current exhibition at the Center for New Media in Downtown Kalamazoo. Original air date  12/11/21 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.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews the 2021 CAA Medal of Arts recipients - Cara Lieurance, Bryan Zocher, and Lori Moore.  Originally aired on Saturday, December 4, 2021 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

Kristen interviews Belinda Tate of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts about their Epic Award, and Bianca interviews Maya Mokrzan about the KIA's Holiday Market.  Originally aired on Saturday, November 20, 2021 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.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen discusses choosing to be an artist with the 2021 Adam F. Carter Young Artist Award recipient Morgan Brown, and Eric interviews a new student member for the Arts Council, Lucy Lowis.  Originally aired on Saturday, November 13, 2021, 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.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen talks with Aubrey Jewel Rodgers, Mandy Clearwaters, and Kerry Hagy - the 2021 Gayle Hoogstraten Leadership Award recipients. Originally aired on November 6, 2021 on Kalamazoo's WKZO 590 am and 106.9 FM.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  The Community Arts Awards Ceremony will on December 7, 2021 at 5:30 pm on the campus of Wester Michigan Universit...

In this episode, we talk with Judah Gesmundo, the 2021 Community Arts Award Theodore C. Cooper Distinguished Volunteer Award recipient.  Bianca talks with Professor Patricia Villalobos and student artist Ian Leuty about the November Art Hop Student Show featuring WMU BFA students.  Originally aired on 10/30/21 on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Cou...

Eric and Kristen talk about the Community Arts Awards.  The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo has been celebrating the work of artists in the Kalamazoo Community since 1985.  Originally aired on October 16, 2021 on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Eric and Bianca talk with Lary Bell of Bell's Brewery about his recent Community Arts Award Busines Award (will be celebrated on December 7, 2021), and Bianca interviews Adrian Vazquez, the Executive Director of El Concilio to learn more about this important organization in our community and the upcomign Dias de los Muertos celebration.  Originally aired as a radio segment in Kalamazoo, Michi...

Eric Oliphant talks with Kate Yancho of Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers to discuss their membership with the Arts Council, their impact in the community, and how they use their benefits. He also highlights Artist Happy Hour for October - the topic is Grants.  He interviews Christopher Biggs, current grant recipient and we listen to a little of his new project coming out this month. the contents...

Kristen interviews Frit Brown and Carrie Largent of Treystar and the Monroe Brown Foundation about the newest outdoor space in Kalamazoo, the Haymarket Plaza. Eric Oliphant interviews Kama Mitchell, Founder and Executive Director of Rootead, a member of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Originally aired on Saturday, October 9, 2021 in KAlamazoo, MI on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.  Creative Cafe...

In this episode Bianca discusses Art Hop with KVCC’s Tom Hamann and Kristen discusses sponsorships with Heather Isch of LKF marketing. Originally aired as a radio segment  September 25, 2021 on WKZO 590 am and 106.9 fm.  Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

In this episode, Bianca Washington Cuingan interviews Carrie McFerrin on Busking and introduces the busking program to Kalamazoo.  Eric Oliphant talks with Dann Sytsma about the panel he will sit on for the next Artist Happy Hour.  Dann talks about the KNAC and placemaking for artists in Kalamazoo.  Originally aired on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM on September 18, 2021. Creative Cafe is a program of t...

This episode explores what one can do with an Arts Fund Grant as we talk to Chris Ludwa and Cori Somers of Kalamazoo Bach Festival about their Sam Cooke Project.  Also, Bianca Washington Ciungan interviews two of our Summertime Live partners - Jilisa Williams of Richland Area Community Center, and Jon Heasley from Parchment's Kindleberger Festival about pulling their music series together and...

The inaugural episode of Creative Cafe.  2 segments -  Who the Heck is the Arts Council? - guests - the entire Staff  Community Arts Awards - nominate now! - guests - Sandra Bremer Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org