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
180 episodes
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
Sourced From the Zoo!
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 pla...
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Season 4
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Episode 26
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28:18
RADFest 2025! Don't miss it!
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.
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Season 4
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Episode 25
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25:02
Queer Theatre Kalamazoo
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.
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Season 4
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Episode 24
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22:45
Artist Happy Hour - Creative Expo 2025!
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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23:58
Celebrating the work of Murphy Darden, Sr.
We interview Vanassa Darden, Judy Jones, and Kim Shaw about the Murphy Darden exhibit which is one of several recent celebrations of the work and life of the late Murphy Darden, Sr. Originally aired on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 8 am on WKZ...
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Season 4
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Episode 22
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22:52
Discover - Discover Kalamazoo!
We sit down with Jane Ghosh, President and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo to discuss the tourism trends in Kalamazoo and how creative experiences help drive the local economy and vice versa. Originally aired on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 8 am on...
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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26:00
Encore Magazine!
Kristen interviews Marie Lee, publisher and editor of Encore Magazine about the history of the magazine, its dedication to reporting on the arts, and the new center section of the magazine devoted solely to the arts. Originally aired on S...
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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25:07
Stulberg International String Competition
Kristen interviews Megan Yankee, Executive Director of the Stulberg International Strings Competition about the history of the competition and what to expect during this year's competition. Originally aired on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM in ...
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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23:08
Monoform Cinema at the Dormouse Theatre
Kristen interviews Carman Goodrich and Stephen Remenapp about Monoform Cinema - a group showing films in Kalamazoo at the Dormouse Theatre for the past year. We talk about the types of films they show and their plans for the upcoming year. Orig...
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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23:46
Happy Holidays! A special reading of Little Women
We interviewed Janine Chesak-Black almost a year ago celebrating the season and family, we are getting to publish it now. Please enjoy some time with us as we learn about Janine Chesak-Black, her career in theatre, and a special reading o...
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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22:20
Gilmore Car Musuem's new Executive Nick LaCasse
Kristen interviews Nick LaCasse, the new Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Musuem. They talk about Nick's background and passion for museum work, and the many programs that the car museum has to offer. Originally aired on Saturd...
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Season 4
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Episode 16
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23:28
Community Arts Awards 2024! Celebrating Lanny Potts and Mary Whalen
Kristen interviews two of the Community Medal of Arts Award recipients - Lanny Potts and Mary Whalen about their careers and accomplishments. Join us to celebrate them on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7 pm at KVCC's Lake Auditorium. ...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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14:45
Celebrating William Glass and looking forward to December Art Hop!
Kristen interviews Andrea and Mike Glass - daughter and son of William Glass Rookwood Potter, whose work was in November Art Hop and will be in December Art Hop. We also talked with Kim Shaw, programs director, about the last Art Ho...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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23:03
Celebrating the 2024 Community Arts Awards - Miller Auditorium and Elizabeth Start
Kristen interviews Tracey Lawie, Director of Miller Auditorium about receiving one of the Epic Awards this year, and also talks with Elizabeth Start, a 2024 recipient of the Community Medal of Arts. Originally aired on Saturday, November ...
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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25:32
Celebrating the 2024 CAA Award Recipients! DeNooyer Chevrolet and Friends of Poetry
Kristen interviews Erin Sparks of DeNooyer Chevrolet about their Business Arts Award and Elizabeth Kerlikowske and Scott Bade about Friends of Poetry and their Epic Award! Originally aired on Saturday, December 16, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 59...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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22:25
Celebrating the 2024 Community Arts Award Recipients - Arts Leadership!
Kristen interviews two recipients of the Gayle Hoogstraten Arts Leadership Award - Ben Gudbrandson for Education, and Kate Yancho for Administration. Originally aired on Saturday, November 9, 202, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. The ...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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23:14
Celebrating the 2024 CAA Award Recipients! Young Artist Awards
Kristen interviews the two 2024 Adam F. Carter Young Artist Award Recipients - Carly Rose Koch and Courtney Gardner. Originally aired on Saturday, November 2, 202, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. The Community Art...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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22:39
Art Hop November 2024 with Sarkozy Bakery
Kristen interviews Alec Wells, Judy Sarkozy, and Kim Shaw about the November 2024 Art Hop and Sarkozy Bakery's return to participation. They also chat about the other 40 stops available that night. Originally aired on Saturday, October 26...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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23:14
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts - 100 years under new leadership
Kristen interviews Michelle Hargrave about her new role at the Kalamazoo Arts Institute and the 100 year milestone, and the activities planned to celebrate! Originally aired on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 F...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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24:09
Dann Sytsma And Crawlspace - Where Are They Now?
Kristen interviews Dann Sytsma, founder and CEO of Crawlspace Eviction about the journey from fledgling improv troupe to successful business in the newly repurposed First Baptist Church in Downtown Kalamazoo. Originally aired on Saturday,...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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25:44
Artist Happy Hour - How to Get the Gig!
Eric Oliphant, Membership Director, interviews the panelists for our upcoming Artist Happy Hour at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, on How to Get the Gig. Eric talks with L. Sam Zhang, author and illustrator of The First Chinese Festivals Book ...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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25:15