Creative Cafe
A weekly exploration of all things creative in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Originally aired on WKZO AM 590 locally each Saturday at 8 am. Podcasts will be available on Tuesday after the original air date. The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo is a membership organization serving artists and arts organizations in Kalamazoo County. www.KalamazooArts.org for complete information.
Episodes
201 episodes
Community Arts Awards Nominations Now Open
Kristen sits down with Cara Lieurance, Sandra Bremer, and Bryan Zocher to discuss the Community Arts Awards. Each person has been awarded the Community Medal of Arts in the past and has also nominated others for various awards presented by the ...
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Season 4
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Episode 51
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25:17
Brush the Block - Meet the Artists Part Three
In the final installment of a three-part series exploring the Brush the Block Mural Festival, Kristen and Kim talk with local artists Patrick Hershberger and Ellen Vandermyde about their respective murals, their work, and what draws them to lar...
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Season 4
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Episode 50
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23:31
Brush the Block - Meet the Artists Part Two
In part two of this three-part series on the Brush the Block Mural Festival, Kristen and Kim Shaw visit with Heidi Weiss and Chafe Hensley about the mural they will be creating and their local partnership to bring creativity to Kalamazoo.
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Season 4
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Episode 49
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23:50
Brush the Block - Meet the Artists Part One
In the first of this three-part series, Kristen learns more about the artists selected to paint the public murals for the inaugural Brush the Block mural festival. In part one, she speaks with
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Season 4
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Episode 48
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21:58
Season 18 - Farmers Alley Theatre
Kristen interviews Jeremy Koch, the Managing Artistic Director, about Season 18 of the Farmers Alley Theatre. Originally aired on Saturday, July 26, 2025 on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI.
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Season 4
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Episode 47
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22:29
Shonda Buchanan Part II
Kristen finishes her conversation with Shonda Buchanan about her career, and most recent publications. Originally aired on July 19, 2025 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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Season 4
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Episode 46
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22:20
Brush the Block Mural Festival Artists Announced!
Kristen and Kim Shaw sit down with Amy O'Donnell-Lueth and Maya James, two of the seven artists slated to complete murals for the inaugural mural festival in Kalamazoo, called Brush the Block. The festival will take place from September 2-7, 20...
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Season 4
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Episode 45
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25:47
July Art Hop is Almost Here!
Kristen sits down with Kim Shaw to detail the artists and activities that will comprise the July Art Hop, as well as a sneak peek at the artist reveal set to take place during the Bronson Hop as part of Art Hop! Visit
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Season 4
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Episode 44
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22:29
Vicksburg Arts has a New Leader
Kristen sits down with Eltine DeYoung, executive director of Vicksburg Arts to talk about her new appointment and the current programs of the organization. Originally aired on Saturday, June 28, 2025 on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, MI...
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Season 4
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Episode 43
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24:52
The Lost Songs of Nina Simone by Shonda Buchanan
Kristen interviews local artist and educator, Shonda Buchanan, about her newest book release, a book of poetry entitled The Lost Songs of Nina Simone. Originally aired on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in ...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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24:57
Wallace and Grommit and Shaun the Sheep in Kalamazoo!
Kristen interviews Museum Program Coordinator Stephanie Willoughby and KVCC Instructor and local artist Aubrey Rodgers about the new interactive Wallace and Grommit, and Shaun the Sheep exhibit called Sheer Genius! Originally aired on Saturday,...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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22:28
We were LIVE at Art on the Mall!
Kristen enjoys a plein air interview with Art on the Mall artists Jasper Hursley and Kenyatta Ray, Programs Director Kim Shaw, and Kalamazoo Concert Band Board Member Susan Carter, discussing all the fun planned for the second day of Art on the...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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21:51
JumpstArt Weekend is Almost Here!
Kristen sits down with Christopher Terkos, Executive Director of Outfront; Nancy Waldoch, the Advancement Liaison for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts; and Kim Shaw, the Arts Council’s Program Director top discuss the JumpstArt weekend, June 6-8...
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Season 4
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Episode 39
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23:26
SPLICE Music - Profoundly Connected to Kalamazoo
Kristen sits down with Keith Kirchoff, the President of SPLICE. This is a national organization with ties to Kalamazoo through Western Michigan University, exploring the intricate world of meshing electronic and acoustic music. Originally aired...
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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23:25
Summertime Live! 125 Concerts, 13 Venues, 1 Summer of Fun!
Kristen interviews Kim Shaw, Programs director; Ed Genesis, artist and producer; and Barbie Dunn, recreation programs/events manager for the City of Portage, about their roles in putting together the different music series that make up part of ...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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23:34
Artist Happy Hour - Director's Cut - An Artist's Online Presence
Kristen interviews Laura Weiler, independent artist and illustrator, Eric Schmidt, web designer and developer, and Eric Oliphant, membership and operation director at the Arts Council about the upcoming Artist Happy Hour, set to take place on W...
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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25:41
Kalamazoo Violin Choir
Kristen interviews Negar Afazel about her journey to the US and her latest project, the Kalamazoo Violin Choir. Originally aired on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM.
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Season 4
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Episode 35
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25:58
May Art Hop 2025 - the Mega Hop! with Brendan Barnes
Kristen talks with Kim Shaw, programs director, and Brendan Barnes, local artist, about the May Art Hop - Brendan's work, including his new book of poetry, as well as the record-setting participation set for this month's hop. Originally aired o...
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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24:02
Brush the Block - the Inaugural Mural Festival for Kalamazoo
We sit down with Rebekah Kik, Deputy City Manager for Kalamazoo, and Kim Shaw, Mural Festival Director, to discuss the inaugural mural festival for Kalamazoo, coming in September 2025. Originally aired on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8 am on WKZ...
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Season 4
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Episode 33
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26:30
Starlite Collective - Making Space for Creatives, Literally.
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 col...
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Season 4
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Episode 32
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25:39
Grants! Suzuki Academy talks about the ups and downs of submitting a grant
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 31
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23:30
Grants! Headband Henny talks about how grants helped his artistic journey
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 30
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23:08
Grants! Laura Citino talks about her work and how grants have helped her
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 29
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23:38
Kirk Newman Art School at the Kalamazoo Insitute of Arts
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 28
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23:37
Into the Woods! KCC and What-A-Do Collaboration
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 WKZ...
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Season 4
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Episode 27
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23:01