Creative Cafe

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 Hour will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 5:30 pm at the KNAC in downtown Kalamazoo.

Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 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

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 Plaza Concert directly following Art Hop on July 14th.    Originally aired on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 8 am on WKZO 90 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 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.

Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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.  Creative Cafe and Art on the Mall are programs of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 Kalamazoo.  

Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 Kalamazoo.

Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org