WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

In this episode, we speak with Zack Berends, events and festival manager for Gilda’s LaughFest presented by Gildas Club Grand Rapids. Gilda’s LaughFest, is the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter. Over the years, it has earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. This major Midwest festival is based in Grand Rapids and inc...

In this episode, we speak with John Vanderhagen, vice president of communications with Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. John told us that at the gardens they are constantly seeking to bring new experiences, and joy for each visitor. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park exists to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment...

In this episode, we speak with Josh Narramore, executive director of Mobile GR. Mobile GR is a City of Grand Rapids department that works to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and diverse transportation options to support the City's economic and quality of life goals. Mobile GR operates city-owned parking systems and maintains many aspects of transportation and safety infrastructure within th...

In this episode, we spend time Mary K. Hoodhood. Mary recently released her first book, a memoir titled, "What I Can Do." The title of the book refers to, "What I can do" ...the question that Mary repeated to herself following a 1980 automobile crash. Despite that setback, Mary was determined to live a life of service. Building on her parents’ lessons about service and leadersh...

On this week's episode, we welcomed Laurel Conrad, program coordinator with LowellArts. LowellArts exists to Connect artists and audiences through the visual and performing arts. Online: LowellArts

In this episode, we speak with Spencer Everhart, the board president of The Chiaroscuro International Film Series. The Chiaroscuro International Film Series is a non-profit cultural and educational organization that seeks to foster a deeper understanding of world cultures through the medium of film. Chiaroscuro enriches the West Michigan cultural landscape by presenting thought-provoking films in...

In this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Marcel “Fable” Price, the executive director of The Diatribe, a Grand Rapids Black and LGBTQ+-run art and creative center for youth. The Diatribe uses restorative art to disrupt historical systems of oppression by reimagining education, holistically honoring the community through our approach to our work, and creating an unapologetic vis...

In this episode we we learn everything about the start-up and wonderful mission of Beer City Dog Biscuits from Jennifer Romain. Operations Manager with Beer City Dog Biscuits. In 2018, Tad and Suzanne Wilcox and David and Leslie Hooker formed a nonprofit 501(c)3, HW Living Ventures dba Beer City Dog Biscuits, on behalf of their adult sons, both of whom have disabilities. Jennifer told us that a vi...

On this week's program, we get an update on everything happening with LGROW, from Wendy Ogilvie, Director of environmental programs for LGROW Wendy joined the Grand Valley Metro Council in 2013 as the Director of Environmental Programs, bringing her expertise of over 25 years in watershed and stormwater management. The Lower Grand River Watershed covers the lower portion of the Grand River tha...

On this episode, station manager, Phil Tower speaks with Kate O'Keefe, Vice President of Advancement, for Family Promise Grand Rapids. Family Promise exists to end homelessness, one family at a time, by engaging faith-based and community organizations to provide emergency shelter and basic needs to families with children who are homeless and to provide additional programs to assist them in fin...

On this week's program, we connected with David Marquardt, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City Of Grand Rapids. The GR Parks and Recreation Department exists to preserve and enhance a well-connected and healthy community. With 75+ parks and year-round recreation programs across the City of Grand Rapids, there are numerous options for city residents and visitors within the region...

Ken Wylupski from the West Michigan Blues Society talks about all things blues happening with his organization in West Michigan. The purpose of the West Michigan Blues Society is to promote and preserve the appreciation of blues music. The West Michigan Blues Society (WMBS) was established in 1990 to promote and preserve the rich history of blues music as it concerns West Michigan, its impact on A...

On this week's program, WYCE Station Manager, Phil Tower welcomes Elle Lively, Executive Director of the Michigan Music Alliance. The Michigan Music Alliance was created in 2019 as a direct response to the needs expressed by West Michigan artists. In addition to free educational music business sessions and DIY resources, Michigan Music Alliance works to create opportunities to help artists connect...

On this week's, Community Connection station manager, Phil Tower, welcomes Regenail Thomas, CEO of Seeds Of Promise, Grand Rapids.  Seeds of Promise is a place-based urban community improvement initiative located in the Southeast community of Grand Rapids. Seeds of Promise empower those who live in this urban neighborhood to direct their own strategy.   Seeds of Promise describes it...

On this week's episode of Community Connection, WYCE Station Manager welcomes Stephanie Sheler, Executive Director, CASA of Kent County as Executive Director. Stephanie oversees the staff, volunteers, donors, and family court personnel as they work for the best interest of children who are in foster care.  Stephanie encourages you to reach out if you want to know anything about CASA, or if yo...

In this week's program, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Randall Goble, Director of Engagement: Marketing, programming, and communications at Kent District Library. Kent District Library operates 20 branch libraries that serve nearly 440,000 residents of 27 different municipalities throughout Kent County. KDL enriches lives by providing information, ideas, and excitement.  Learn Mo...

On this week's episode of community connection, station manager, Phil Tower speaks with Michael Van Denend, M.A., Executive Director Michael has always been interested in world events and issues—and is a strong advocate of non-partisan grace-filled discourse. He’s fond of Richard Mouw’s description of “convicted civility”—which is “combining a civil outlook with a passionate intensity about o...

Station manager, Phil Tower, welcomes, Cathy Holbrook, Executive Director of Saint Cecilia Music Society to talk about the history of the organization and the quality programming and shows coming up in the 2023 season.

Jose Gonzalez joins WYCE Music Director Shane German to discuss fatherhood, existentialism & information theory, musical inspirations, and his gorgeous new album "Local Valley"' - which is out now on Mute Records.   https://jose-gonzalez.com/   WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond. Broadc...

Jess Sylvester of Marinero joins WYCE Music Director Shane German to discuss his new album "Hella Love" - which is out now via Hardly Art Records. https://maringuero.bandcamp.com/album/hella-love https://www.hardlyart.com WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond. Broadcasting on-air programming at 88.1fm,...

Shannon McNally joins WYCE Music Director Shane German to talk about her  career in the music industry and her new album "The Waylon Sessions." https://www.shannonmcnally.com/   WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving  the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond.  Broadcasting on-air programming at 88.1fm, and reaching out to the world  through online...

On this super-sized edition of Songs from the Second Floor, Amythyst Kiah joins WYCE Music Director Shane German to discuss her brand new album WARY + STRANGE, which is out now on Rounder Records. Amythyst and band also perform the songs "Black Myself", "Firewater", and "Hangover Blues." Special thanks to Rounder Records, Concord, and GRTV. https://www.amythystkiah.com/ WYCE is an independent, com...

Joff Oddie of Wolf Alice joins us to discuss the making of their brand new album BLUE WEEKEND. The band also performs the songs "No Hard Feelings" and "Safe From Heartbreak." https://wolfalice.co.uk WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond. Broadcasting on-air programming at 88.1fm, and reaching out to the...

Morgan Wade joins us to discuss her new album RECKLESS and performs the songs 'Matches and Metaphors' and 'Other Side.' https://www.morganwademusic.com Special thanks to Thirty Tigers https://www.thirtytigers.com    WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond. Broadcasting on-air programming at 88.1...

Mike Calabrese & Mike "McDuck" Olson of Lake Street Dive join us to  discuss their new album 'Obviously' and the organization they founded -  Virtual Lessons for Actual Change. The band also perform the songs  'Hypotheticals' and 'Same Old News' - Recorded on 2/25 at Bunker Studios  in Brooklyn NY.  Special thanks to Nonesuch Records. http://www.lakestreetdive.com http...