Creative Cafe

This week on Creative Café, Kristen Chesak welcomes Kim Shaw, and Tim Culver for a conversation about the Otsego Jazz Ensemble, one of southwest Michigan's longest-running community big bands. Learn how the ensemble has been bringing musicians together for nearly 40 years, what audiences can expect from their August 23 Concerts in the Park performance, and why this group continues to delight generations of music lovers. Tune in Saturday, August 15, and then join us for this free community concert on Sunday, August 23, at 4:00 p.m. in Bronson Park.

Originally aired on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM.

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

Who inspires our arts community? Who deserves to be recognized for the impact they've made?

Join Kristen Chesak on the next Creative Café as she welcomes 2025 Community Medal of Arts recipient Brad Wong and Jeremy Koch of Farmers Alley Theatre, who accepted the 2025 Epic Award on the theatre's behalf. Having both nominated others and been honored themselves, Brad and Jeremy share why recognition matters, what makes a meaningful nomination, and why everyone has the power to celebrate the people who make Kalamazoo's arts community thrive.

Learn about the Community Arts Awards, hear inspiring stories from two past recipients, and find out how you can help recognize the artists, volunteers, educators, businesses, organizations, and arts leaders who make a difference every day. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on Creative Café.

Originally aired on Saturday, August 8, 2026

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

Join us for a fascinating conversation about Survival of the Species, an upcoming exhibition opening August 7 at the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Artist Randy Walker, curator Linda Rzoska, and Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw will discuss the powerful imagery behind the exhibition, its exploration of environmental themes, and a unique collaboration with Photosynthesis Community poets that will culminate in a special poetry reading on August 12.

Discover how visual art, poetry, and community dialogue come together in this thought-provoking exhibition. 

Originally aired on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM

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

Join host Kristen Chesak for a conversation with mixed media artist MtnWoman Silver and Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw. After relocating to Kalamazoo from Oklahoma City, Silver found more than a new place to paint—she found a creative community through Kalamazoo Art Hop and her Artist in Residence program at Kalamazoo City Centre.

Hear the story behind her first live Art Hop painting, The Garden, discover how creating art in public transforms the creative process, and learn why building relationships is just as important as making art.

Originally aired on Saturday, July 25, 2026, on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM

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

We welcome acclaimed soprano Svetlana Stone to share the story behind her debut classical album, My Favorite Things. Learn how an Arts Council KADI grant helped bring this ambitious multilingual recording project to life, hear about the creative journey from concept to completion, and get a preview of what's next as the album prepares for release. Join us for an inspiring conversation celebrating artistry, perseverance, and the power of investing in local creatives. Originally aired on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.

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

We celebrate the 40th Black Arts Festival with special guest Janine Seals, Executive Director of the Black Arts & Cultural Center.

Learn about the festival's rich history, its impact on our community, and what you can experience at this year's celebration in Bronson Park. Whether you're a longtime attendee or planning your first visit, you won't want to miss this conversation about one of Kalamazoo's most cherished cultural traditions.

Originally aired on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM

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

This week, Kristen Chesak welcomes acclaimed Kalamazoo photographer Fran Dwight and Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw for a preview of July Art Hop. Hear Fran share stories from her decades behind the camera, learn about her upcoming exhibition in the Westin Gallery, and get the inside scoop on what to expect during Art Hop's Continuum-themed celebration of creativity. Originally aired on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.

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

Join Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw and new Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Amy Williams as they discuss this year's celebration in Bronson Park, featuring a two hour concert by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, family activities, food and beverages, and a spectacular drone show more than a year in the making.

Don't miss this conversation about music, community, and one of the biggest celebrations of the summer. Originally aired on Saturday, June 27, 2026 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

Listen to Brad Jensen, Sandra Shaw, and Danny Lopez as they share the story behind one of Southwest Michigan's favorite jazz ensembles, talk about the enduring appeal of big band music, and give us a preview of their upcoming Concerts in the Park performance. Originally aired on Saturday, June 20, 2026, 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

Today on Creative Café, we welcome Maya James, artist, author, and founder of A Black Artist’s Path, a creative development ecosystem supporting Black artists in building sustainable and liberated careers. We talk about the vision behind the program, an upcoming Mackinac Island residency, and The BAP Collection, a powerful traveling exhibition bringing this work to life through art, film, and community engagement. Originally aired on Saturday, June 13, 2026, 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