Midtown Conversations

Conversations about Public Spaces, Social Infrastructure, and the Public Realm. 

In this episode, we bring you a live panel discussion on the role of local media as social infrastructure — exploring how journalism connects communities, builds trust, and supports civic life in an era of fragmentation and digital overload.

Hosted by Shannon Knelsen, the conversation features community advocate Melissa Bowman, publisher Stewart Grant, and former Regional Chair Ken Seiling. Together, they discuss the future of local journalism, the challenges of trust and sustainability, and why community storytelling still matters.

This discussion was recorded live at Princess Cinemas in Waterloo, as part of the Ink-stained Wretches' annual Journalism Film Festival, presented with support from Waterloo Region Community Foundation. 

Guests Carol Coletta, Shirley Madill, and Eric Avner discuss the importance of social infrastructure and how we can make our communities more joyful.

Carol Coletta will be speaking at The Walper Hotel on Nov. 6th as part of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery's Culture Talks series. Tickets can be purchased from KWAG.ca 

About our guests :

Carol Coletta is a Fellow at the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and former President & CEO of Memphis River Parks Partnership.

Shirley Madill is the Executive Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, a cultural leader who’s been instrumental in shaping the region’s artistic landscape.

Eric Avner is the President & CEO of the Waterloo Region Community Foundation, where he’s guiding strategic investments to build a more equitable, connected, and sustainable community.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors Grand Valley Construction Association and Waterloo Region Community Foundation. 

Conversation with performers in the Treading Theatre Festival, to be held at Schneider Haus May 28-June 1, 2025.

Conversation with performers in the Treading Theatre Festival, to be held at Schneider Haus May 28-June 1, 2025.

Conversation with performers in the Treading Theatre Festival, to be held at Schneider Haus May 28-June 1, 2025.

Host Danielle Deveau chats with Cosmic Fishing Theatre founder Viktorija Kovac about the need for more theatre for young people in the Waterloo Region. 

Panelists:

• Mitchell Cohen, President & CEO at Daniels Corporation; Author of Rhythms of Change: Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization; a
  strong advocate for the roles that creativity and connectivity can play in building healthy and vital communities.
• Shirley Madill, Executive Director at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery; a respected leader in the local and national arts scene, and beyond.
• Eric Avner, President & CEO at the Waterloo Region Community Foundation; a strong advocate for the value of social infrastructure in our communities.

Guest host @allisondyjach chats with Kitchener punk-rockers @redoutput about releasing their first new single in 2 years, "Rafters," and they look back at the incredible 2023 the band had. We also sit down with Owen Tester, lead guitarist from @livingroomforsmall_ to discuss the local pop-punk band's new EP release "WHEREVER U GO" and play a special KW lightning round...does Owen prefer the farm animals in Waterloo Park, or the swans in Victoria Park?! Tune in to find out!

The show also features new music releases from local musicians including singer-songwriter @amandabraammusic 's newest single "Pink Paper Hearts" and Alyssa DVM's "Let Me Hate You"

Join host Danielle Deveau, live from the SDG Idea Factory in Kitchener, for this music cities talk featuring Shain Shapiro (author of This Must be the Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better). With guests Betty Anne Keller (Rock This Town); Paul Kalbfleisch (The JOY Experiments: Starting a New Conversation on City Building); and Amit Mehta (Good Company Productions).