Creative Cafe

On this episode, we explore how museums are not only places where we revisit the past, but spaces that help us imagine the future, and why a bold new exhibition opening this February invites Kalamazoo audiences to think differently about design, innovation, and creativity in everyday life. Originally aired on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 8 am in Kalamazoo, MI.

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

As we begin 2026, we are continuing our conversation about storytelling and the power of community voices. Today, we are joined by Dr. Michelle Johnson and Denise Miller of the Institute of Public Scholarship. We will be talking about how their work centers around cultural expression, storytelling, and community voice to support justice, healing, and creative life in Kalamazoo. Originally aired on Saturday, December 10, 2025, 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

In part two of this 2-part series, Kristen Chesak continues her discussion with Marcel Fable Price about the power of storytelling, and the healing it provides. We enjoy one of Marcel's original fables. Originally aired on Saturday, January 3, 2025, 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

In this two-part series, Marcel Fable Price joins Kristen Chesak to discuss the power of stories and storytelling, how this rich tradition transcends all cultures and societies, and how storytelling can be a powerful form of healing. Originally aired on Saturday, December 27, 2025, 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

Deb Droppers, Director, and Adam Ostrander, Board Member of New Year's Fest, reminisce about 40 years of alcohol-free family fun during Downtown Kalamazoo's New Year's Fest. Get a preview of the 2025 schedule of events. Originally aired on Saturday, December 20, 2025 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 sits down with Jane Ghosh, President and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, Bob Lewis, Partner at Millennium Restaurant Group, and Fritz Brown of Treystar to talk about the economic and social impact of festivals in downtown Kalamazoo, specifically the most recent Brush the Block Mural Festival. Originally aired on Saturday, December 13, 2025 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

In our final installment of the 5-part series spotlighting the 2025 Community Arts Award recipients, we sit down with Community Medal of Arts Recipients Robin Nott and Brad Wong. Originally aired on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 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 sits down with Elaine Unzicker, Aubrey Rodgers, and Kim Shaw to preview the December 2025 Art Hop. The theme is CREATE! Enjoy 55 stops, and more than 250 artists at the largest Art Hop of the year. This episode originally aired on Saturday, November 29, 2025 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

In the fourth of our five-part series, we celebrate two of the four Community Medal of Arts recipients, Fran Dwight and Al Harris, Jr. We will celebrate the recipients in person on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 7 pm in the Lake Auditorium on the KVCC campus. Originally aired on Saturday, November 22, 2025, 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 we are celebrating the 2025 recipients of Epic Award. We talk to Jeremy Koch and Rob Weiner of Farmers Alley Theatre and John Kern of Prairie Ronde Residency and Gallery. We will celebrate both in person on December 9, 2025 at 7 pm at the Lake Auditorium on the campus of KVCC. Originally aired on Saturday, November 15, 2025 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