Creative Cafe

Kristen interviews Val Birch and Erica Bradshaw about the Starlite Collective, which was formed in 2021 and has now grown to 160 members.  We discuss the space at Park Trades Center and the upcoming programming for the creatives in the collective. Originally aired on Saturday, April 12, 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 part 3 of the series exploring grants - Kristen interviews Jacob Olbrot the Director of the Suzuki Academy about their working the community and their experience in the granting process. Originally aired on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.5 FM.

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

In the second part of this series on grants, Kristen sits down with Henry Parwoth, "Headband Henny," to discuss how the grants from the Arts Council have altered the trajectory of his work as an artist in Kalamazoo. Originally aired on Saturday, March 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

Kristen shares news about the 2025 Grant Programs and interviews recent grant recipient Laura Citino about her work as a writer, the book she is working on, and how a KADI grant helped to secure a residency to complete the next chapter. This is part 1 of a three-part series. Originally aired on Saturday, March 22, 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

Kristen interviews Leslie Donaldson, the director of the Kirk Newman Art School  at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, about the amazing number of offerings for community members of all ages, including some classes and workshop offerings you may not realize are available through the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Originally aired on Saturday, March 15, 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

Kristen interviews Teri Noaeill from What A Do Theatre and Brad Poer from Kellogg Community College Theatre about their collaboration and the theatre opportunities in Battle Creek, MI. Originally aired on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.5 FM.

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

Kristen interviews Rehema Barber, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, about her background, the exhibitions she has curated, and the most recent to open, Sourced From the Zoo, a crowd-sourced exhibition taking place at multiple locations and opening Art Hop night - March 6, 2025.  Originally aired on Saturday, March 1, 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

We interview Kate Yancho, executive director of Wellspring/Cori Terry and Dancers, and Jennifer Glaws, RADFest curator, about the 16th annual Regional Alternative Dance Festival set to take place February 27 - March 2. 

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

Kristen interviews Raquel Hellenga and C Heaps about the journey of Queer Theatre and what is in store for this season. Originally aired on Saturday, February 15, 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

We sit down with Eric Oliphant, membership director of the Arts Council; Kevin Dodd, the Aesthetic Education Program Coordinator for Kalamazoo RESA's Education for the Arts program; and Klay Woodworth, the Director of Broadcasting for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp about the Creative Expo planned for Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 2 pm.  Arts organizations will connect with artists looking for employment, volunteer, and collaborative opportunities. Originally aired on Saturday, February 8, 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