Creative Cafe

Kristen interviews Chloe Ray, a recent transplant to Southwest Michigan, who makes her living capturing elopements on film for couples.  Originally aired on Saturday, August 5, 2023 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 Teri Noaeill, the Executive Director of What A Do Theatre in Battle Creek, Michigan, about all of the great programming they are doing!  Originally aired on Saturday, July 29, 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 Kalamazoo.  Home - Kal...

Kristen interviews Sam Zhang about the release of her second children's book The First Dragon Boat Festival, and her plans to continue to write and publish children's books that explore Chinese celebrations.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 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 Caf...

Membership Director Eric Oliphant interviews Yolonda Lavender and Gabriel Giron, two of the panelists set to speak at the next Artist Happy Hour about Creating Space.  This is an extended cut of the original show that aired on Saturday, July 15, 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. The Artist Happy H...

Kristen is joined by Programs Director, Kim Shaw, to discuss therapeutic arts with Rootead Staff members.  Joining the conversation are  Executive Director, Kama Mitchell, and Youth Enrichment Director, Heather Mitchell.  We talk about the healing power of art, and the need to come into community in this way.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 14, 2023 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalam...

Kristen Chesak is joined by Kim Shaw, Programs Director to interview the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Jessica Mallow Gulley, about KSO's return to Bronson Park for their Patriotic Pops concert as part of the Concerts in the Park series scheduled by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. She also interviews Grace Theisen about her career and the upcoming Music in the...

We interview Jack Austin, former Lakeview High School grad, and current WMU student.  He has partnered with the Kellogg Community College Lifelong Learning Center to create a new theatre company for youth called Unity Theatre. Originally aired on Saturday, June 24, 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. Creat...

Mitch Voss, producer/actor and Kevin Dodd, director discuss a new theatre project they are working on in producing the play, WITTENBERG which is running at Crawlspace Theatre in the KNAC building downtown Kalamazoo. Learn about how the relationships built years ago helped build this production today. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen interviews V Word, a local artist, and co-founder of Blvcksheep Music in Battle Creek, Michigan.  We discuss Blvksheep Music, V's work, and how we can support artists in our community.  Originally aired on Saturday, June 10 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 th...

We were live at this year's Art on the Mall - talking with Program Director, Kim Shaw, Director of Engagement, Nicki Poer, and 4 artists sharing their wares for the weekend - Julie Hope, Mary Reed, and Amber and Megan Kennedy.  Hear about their take on the participating in an outdoor festival.  Originally aired on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.  C...

We interview Brian Shetterly, Assistant Director with the Kalamazoo Concert Band about his career path and what led him to the Kalamazoo Concert Band.  We also discuss the Kalamazoo Concert Band's schedule and when you can see them next.  Originally aired on Saturday, May 20, 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...

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...