Creative Cafe

This week on Creative Café, we’re joined by Christopher Keener, owner of Glow Hall in downtown Kalamazoo, a new all-ages space for music, art, and creative community. From group singing to live shows and youth programs, discover how Glow Hall is bringing people together through creativity. Originally aired on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 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

This week on Creative Café, we continue our conversation with Drue McPherson and are joined by Kim Shaw from the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Learn more about the Lavender Home Project and get a preview of Drue’s upcoming exhibition in the Westin Gallery during the May Art Hop, themed PLAY. Originally aired on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FMCreative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

This week on Creative Café, we sit down with Kalamazoo-based artist, architect, and salon owner Drue McPherson. We explore his thesis work, House, Human, Home, and the powerful ideas behind his Pinkwashing project, examining how identity, storytelling, and design shape the spaces we live in. Originally aired on Saturday, April 18, 2026 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

This week on Creative Café, we’re talking about creativity in action in Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood. I’m joined by Emma Master to share how an Arts Fund grant is supporting a public art residency that brings artists and community together. Tune in to hear how local artists are transforming everyday space into something powerful. Originally aired on Saturday, April 11, 2026 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

On Creative Café, we sit down with Jennifer Cooley and Miriam Thomas to talk about bringing legendary Nike designer Wilson W. Smith III to Kalamazoo for a special Artful Evening. Hear how this event connects to the Future Now exhibition and why you won’t want to miss it on April 16 at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Originally aired on Saturday, April 4, 2026 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

Violinist Negar Dena Afazel joins Creative Café to discuss her new performance “A Conversation Through Us,” a powerful collaboration with vocalist Tricia Tetzlaff that blends violin, voice, and storytelling to explore the shared experiences of women across time and culture. We’ll also talk about the creative vision behind the piece and how the current war in Iran is shaping its outcome. Originally aired on Saturday, March 28, 2026 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 round out our 3-part series on the Prairie Ronde Artist Residency with Akiko Yamamoto, a Japanese-born, Brooklyn-based artist whose work explores migration, identity, and cultural translation through intricate layers of paper, texture, and process. Her work has been exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum and featured in The New York Times, and now she is bringing her practice to Southwest Michigan through Prairie Ronde. Originally aired on Saturday, March 21, 2026, 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

 Connar Klock joins us to talk about the current projects and shows being undertaken by Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. We chat about shows, playwright projects, and upcoming auditions, and construction projects. Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

We were live from Epic Center, talking with artists from RADFest 17, the region's best Alternative Dance Festival. We spoke with Wellspring Artistic Director Marissa Bianan, RADFest curator Jennifer Glaws, and Claire Porter, who has made the journey to share their talents with their peers and our community. Originally aired on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 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

 The March 2026 Art Hop is right around the corner, and we sit down with Adam McFarlin of the Kalamazoo Candle Company, one of the event’s longtime mainstays. Now in a new home on the Kalamazoo Mall, Adam shares how the business continues to evolve, along with exciting new initiatives designed to bring our community even closer to the world of makers. Originally aired on Saturday, February 28, 2026 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

The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre is presenting Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches. Director D. Terry Williams and Director of Volunteers Mike Artis sit down to discuss this epic and deeply moving production, the powerful messages it carries, and why it remains profoundly relevant today. They also share how the community can engage more deeply with the experience through additional programming, including the opportunity to view a section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, attend preshow conversations, and participate in post-show talkbacks. Originally aired on Saturday, February 21, 2026, 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

Creative Café continues its three-part series featuring the artists selected for the 2026 Spring Residency at Prairie Ronde in Vicksburg. In Part 2, host Kristen speaks with Bogotá-born, Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist Mariana Noreña.Mariana’s work explores relationships to place through ecology, history, and material memory, often using natural and locally sourced materials to reflect on belonging and landscape. Tune in to hear how the Prairie Ronde residency will influence her evolving practice. Originally aired on Saturday, February 14, 2026, 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 Part 1 of this 3-part series, Kristen learns more about the artists that will make up the 2026 Spring Residency at Prairie Ronde in Vicksburg, beginning with Artist Xingyu Huang, someone who currently splits their time between Chicago and LA. We will learn what this urban artist is looking to get out of this rural experience. Originally aired on Saturday, February 10, 2026 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

It is the 10th anniversary of the Eclectic Glass Guild here in Kalamazoo. We celebrate this milestone with Judy Konesni and Jeanne Zumburs to chat about glass, community and what it takes to build something that lasts. Originally aired on Saturday, Janaury 31, 2026 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 on Creative Cafe, we are joined by Slym Beno, a purpose-driven hip hop artist whose work blends motivational lyricism, faith-influenced storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Originally from Cleveland and now rooted in Michigan, Slym Beno represents P One Entertainment, a platform built around purpose, opportunity, and community impact. His latest project, The Big P EP, invites listeners to reflect, grow, and step boldly into who they are called to become. Beyond the music, he is creating intentional spaces through live events that bring together artistry, reflection, and community connection. We are excited to spend time talking about purpose, creativity, and what it means to build art that uplifts. Originally aired on Saturday, January 23, 2026, 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

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 FMCreative 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, MICreative 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

Welcome to the second episode in a 5-part series celebrating the 2025 Community Arts Awards. Today we are celebrating April Woodward Slack, recipient of the Gayle Hoogstraten Arts Leadership Award, and Lynn Chen-Zhang, one of the founders of Zhang Financial, recipient of the 2025 Business Arts Award. We will celebrate the 2025 Community Arts Award in person on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7 pm in the Lake Auditorium on the campus of KVCC.Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

Welcome to our first in a series of 5 episodes celebrating the 2025 Community Arts Awards. Today, we talk with Ivan Tai and Felix Bahrou. The Community Arts Awards will be celebrated in person on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 7:00 pm pm at the Lake Auditorium on the KVCC campus. Originally aired on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 8 am on WKZO 590 and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan.Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

We explore one of the 45 stops for the November Art Hop with Steve Walsh, executive director of the Vine Neighborhood Association, and artists Janice March-Prelesnik of Music Medicine Collective, and Donna Vogtmann of Pysanky and Pyrographic Art. Originally aired on Saturday, November 25, 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

Kristen interviews Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Michelle Hargrave, and the Director of the Kirk Newman Art School, Leslie Donaldson, about the 52nd Annual Holiday Art Show. Originally aired on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8 Am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FMCreative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

Kristen sits back down with Negar Afazel, the founder of the Kalamazoo Violin Choir, to discuss the program's first year and plans for its continuation. Originally aired on Saturday, October 11, 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

Kristen interviews Julie White, the interim Executive Director, and Marissa Bianan, the Artistic Director of Wellspring, about its 45th season - the concerts, classes, and events that make up their path forward. Originally aired on Saturday, October 4, 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 interviews Montana Major, owner, and Jasper Hursley, studio manager, of the new Kalamazoo Kiln Room.  The Kiln Room has been open for about a year at Jericho in the Edison Neighborhood.  It caters to ceramic artists in our area seeking classes and kiln services, marking the expansion of services offered to an increasingly growing artist community here in Kalamazoo. This episode originally aired 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

Kristen hosted a panel discussion during the Brush the Block mural festival with Emma Master, program director of the Edison Neighborhood Association; Mary Kenney, a local artist and art committee member for St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish; and Stacy Davison, DDA coordinator for Texas Township. They discussed RFQs and RFPs, the importance of public art, and their approaches to seeking public art in their respective communities. This panel was originally held during the Brush the Block mural festival. Originally aired Saturday, September 20, 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

The topic we all love to hate - budgeting.  At the Creative Cafe, we spent some time with finance professionals Eric Johnson, Benjamin Stap, and Christina Burr, from Your Part-Time Controller, about their upcoming Artist Happy Hour on September 17th in the Joliffe Theatre from 6 - 8 pm. They talk about the importance and challenges of budgeting for artistic priorities. Originally aired on Saturday, September 12, 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

Kristen Interviews Channon Mondoux, the Festival Director for the Canadiana Fest, now in its third year. They talk about the growth of the event, and what to expect if you attend. Originally aired on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at  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

Kristen sits down with local artist Sara Slaughter and programs director Kim Shaw to talk about the September Art Hop happening on September 5, 2025, from 5 -8 pm in Kalamazoo, MI. Originally aired on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FMCreative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.  Listen to their perspectives as you think about who you might nominate. Originally aired on Saturday, August 23, 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 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 large outdoor canvases as an outlet for their creativity. Originally aired on Saturday, August 16, 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 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.Originally aired on Saturday, August 9, 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 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 Kim Shaw, the Festival Director, and Dania Grevengoed, a muralist from Grand Rapids. Originally aired on Saturday, August 2, 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 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.   Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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

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, 2025.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 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

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 KalamazooArtHop.org to see all the stops planned for Friday.  Originally aired on Saturday, July 5, 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 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.Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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

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, June 14, 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 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 Mall and Sunday's Concert in the Park in Bronson Park.  Originally aired on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 8 am on WKZO AM 590 and 106.9 FM.Creative Cafe is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Home - KalamazooArts.org

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 in which our community will be able to enjoy, Kalamazoo Pride, KIA Art Fair in Bronson Park, the Art on the Mall Festival, the Doo Dah Parade, and the first Concert in the Park in Bronson Park. Originally aired on Saturday, May 31, 2025at 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 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 on Saturday, May 24, 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