Local Theatre Director, Emma Richardson, Redding Cultural District Program Assistant, Gabe Newman, and Cascade Theatre Box Office Manager, Jacob Akana join Viva Downtown to talk about their participation and engagment for the next generation in downtown programming and arts and culture. From theatrical productions, live music and tabletop gaming our guests in this episode are building artistic and community-driven programs that bring new energy in Downtown Redding's historic buildings. Tune in t...
Jun 03, 2025•27 min
Redding Rodeo Week kicks off May 9–18, and the Asphalt Cowboys saddle up on the Downtown Discussion Podcast to share what’s in store! Dave Tappan and Mike Ursitti join us to talk about the history and tradition of the Asphalt Cowboys, what it takes to become one, and all the excitement around this year’s downtown events. From the return of the iconic Street Dance—featuring a special performance by Ben Haggard, son of country legend Merle Haggard—to the beloved Pancake Breakfast where nearly 30,0...
May 05, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Tyler Faires is back on the Viva Downtown Discussion Podcast to talk about the Sundial Film Festival's exciting return to the Cascade Theatre on Saturday March 22, 2025. He shares insights into the festival's revitalization, collaborating with filmmakers and artists to establish a dynamic local, regional, and international film event in Downtown Redding. Tyler also explores the future of filmmaking and the crucial role of investing in local film programs in Shasta County. Tune in to learn more a...
Mar 18, 2025•29 min
Ami and Bart Hauptman, local family brewers, join the Downtown Discussion podcast to discuss their new ownership of Woody's Brewing Company. Woody's Brewing Company celebrates 10 years of being established in Downtown Redding as a family business, learn about Ami and Bart who are excited to take on Woody's with their family and continue producing top quality beers, dining experiences, and community involvement. https://woodysbrewing.com/ Woody's Brewing Company 530-768-1034 1257 Oregon Street Re...
Jan 27, 2025•16 min
Eddie McAllister, facilitator of the Shasta Beloved Community and recipient of the National Education Association's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion Podcast. Eddie discusses the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Downtown Redding on January 20, 2025, and the shifting cultural climate of Shasta County. He also shares ways to get involved in community organizing and breaking down cultural barriers. Monday, January 20, 2025: Dr. Martin...
Jan 18, 2025•19 min
Danny Orloff, director of Paint the Town Redding and Karlo Henry founder of The Art Hunger/Viva Downtown Arts Director, joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion Podcast to discuss Beyond the Box Art Project. Beyond the Box coordinated by Orloff and Henry is a creative partnership between Redding Electric Utility and 20 local artists to paint 20 unique and diverse murals on City of Redding Electric Boxes in Downtown. Danny and Karlo discuss the impact, process, and inspiration behind this p...
Dec 18, 2024•41 min
The Shasta Historical Society joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion Podcast. Chairman of the Board, Jason Salter, and Development & Marketing Manager, Gabriel Leete discuss the ongoing renovations, improvements that are occurring after a flood damaged the interior of the Society. We also discuss the impact of Historical Societies for Main Streets and the benefits of becoming a member with your local Historical Society. Since 1930 the Shasta Historical Society mission has been to act...
Oct 23, 2024•21 min
Redding Roots Revival, the two day music festival that takes place here in Downtown Redding returns September 27,28. Janelle Pierson and Donnie Red joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion to discuss the significant efforts to produce this music festival. Redding Roots Revival activates four stages in Downtown Redding with local, regional and national artists. Redding Roots Revival is going five years strong, in this podcast learn about the social, cultural, and economic development of pro...
Sep 06, 2024•20 min
Local Film makers, Tyler Faires, Tyler Lochamy, and Tom Green, join Viva Downtown, on the Downtown Discussion. In this Downtown Discussion we discuss the success of the local documentary ACID Canal, directed by Tyler Faires, the return and reimagining of The Sundial Film Festival, and the importance of film and story telling in your Downtown. To learn more about their upcoming projects, Sundial Film Festival, and local film making resources follow these links: ACID CANAL: https://faireswheelfilm...
Aug 29, 2024•29 min
Maggie Redmon, Cascade Theatre's interim director, joins us to discuss her role with the theatre. Cascade Theatre for the past 20 years since reopening has established itself as the beacon of arts and culture. The historic theatre originally opened in 1935. The theatre eventually shuttered with the original artwork and architecture being covered. Through community, private and public investment and involvement the Cascade Theatre reopened in 2004 with the original art deco design being reintrodu...
Jul 22, 2024•32 min
The Sundial Bridge celebrates 20 years since its completition in the Redding Cultural District. Shannon Philips, Chief Operating Officer of the McConnell Foundation, joins the Downtown Discussion to discuss the 20 year milestone celebration. The festivities will bring Bandaloop Wire Dancers, artists, recreational activities and culinary experiences together from June 28 through July 4. Check out the list of activities Here The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, designed by international architect San...
Jun 27, 2024•24 min
Sara Sundquist and Anna Blasco from Healthy Shasta, join Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion podcast to discuss Bike Month and Downtown Community Walking maps. The month of May is Bike Month, learn how to participate in local biking events during the month: Information Here at Love to Ride Shasta County: https://www.lovetoride.net/shasta Healthy Shasta has partnered with Viva Downtown, the City of Redding, Visit Redding, the Redding Cultural District, Shasta Historical Society, and local ar...
May 08, 2024•28 min
Adam Yount, the business owner of AREA 151, joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion Podcast. Area 151, a full immersion virtual reality gaming experience based business. Learn about the Adam's process for developing Area 151, through renovations of a former office space, to how VR is transforming the way people experience immersion gaming and team building. Yount is a lifelong resident of Redding and has been proud to see the momentum and development of Downtown Redding. Area 151 develops...
Apr 25, 2024•15 min
Sharon Brisolara, of Inquiry that Matters, joins Blake Fisher on the Downtown Discussion Podcast to discuss Women's History Month and International Women's Day. In coordination with Women's History Month, Viva Downtown and Sharon Brisolara will host presentations and open mic poetry programs that highlight and celebrate Women leadership and contributions. This programming is part of the Upstate California Creative Corp grant. Participate and attend the programs at the IOOF HALL 1445 Market Stree...
Mar 06, 2024•27 min
Todd Jones joins Blake Fisher on the Downtown Discussion Podcast to discuss his new roll as the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. The Downtown Discussion Podcast highlights people who enhance Downtown Redding through social, cultural and economic development. The podcast is edited by Jacob Akana.
Mar 02, 2024•27 min
John Truitt from Viva Downtown, an Accredited Main Street America organization, joins us on the Downtown Discussion Podcast to talk about positive development though art; civic engagement through art; and Upstate Creative Corps projects. John discusses upcoming arts projects and how Downtown Redding creatives are actively engaging people to make a healthy, resilient and vibrant community. Learn more about Upstate Creative Corp here: https://www.upstatecreativecorps.org/...
Jan 01, 2024•19 min
New Downtown Discussion Podcast: The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Jake Mangas, joins us on the downtown discussion for an exit interview. Jake has recently been hired as the new president of Mercy Foundation North and will begin his role in January of 2024. For the last eight years, Jake has navigated the Redding Chamber of Commerce. In this discussion, Jake shares why the Chamber became an early adopter of Downtown Redding revitalization efforts, the values of small bu...
Dec 28, 2023•37 min
Happy Holidays from the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion! Jim Calhoun of Redding Electric Utility joins us on the podcast to kick off the Holiday Season. Jim Calhoun has been an arborist for close to 45 years, and began his career with Asplundh Tree Expert Company in Trinity County. In 2003 Calhoun took on the roll of planning, harvesting, and lighting the tree as the supervising arborist for the City of Redding, Redding Electric Utility. This is the 104th year of the annual Downtown Tree Light...
Nov 22, 2023•15 min
Leah Sullivan and Hallie Hawkins, the new business owners of The Post Office Saloon, join Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion. The Post Office Saloon opened in 1976, in the Burton Building of the Downtown Mall. Over the years you may have experienced the Post Office through their staple menu nights like the Wednesday night spaghetti dinner, Thursday night prime rib dinner, or the incredibly fun Saturday Brunch with all you can eat breakfast and bottomless mimosas. While the business itself ...
Nov 21, 2023•19 min
Small Business Development Center, associate Director, Beth Wood joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion Podcast. In this discussion, Beth shares with us the SBDC mission, "Empowering Entrepreneuers and growing businessess in your area." Learn about upcoming free workshops and resources, the growing Downtown business and Redding economy, and the right questions to ask if you are starting a business. SBDC training resources calendar is located here: https://www.sbdcsc.org/events/?e_source%...
Aug 16, 2023•22 min
Downtown Discussion: NEW BUSINESS opens in Downtown Redding. Shenagins Baby Boutique a family business opens their doors officially on August 1. Katie Cline -co-owner of Shenagins joins Viva Downtown on the Downtown Discussion to talk about their new location activating the corner of Butte and Market Street. Shenagins Baby Boutique opened in 2020 Katie Cline, her mom Angel Weber, and other family members with all hands on deck to manage and design the boutique. Shenagins goal is to be a place wh...
Jul 31, 2023•21 min
1551 MARKET CENTER - REDDING PUBLIC MARKET: Allen Knott from K2 Development and Chris Haedrich from Haedrich & Co., Inc. Commercial Real Estate for a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT for the future plans of 1551 Market Center, one of the new Downtown Redding Mixed use buildings. Since the completion of 1551 Market Center in 2020, Downtown Redding has been anticipating what businesses will open their doors to activate the first floor space of the mixed use building. Apricot Lane Boutique was the first busi...
May 25, 2023•27 min
Shasta Living Streets OPENING CELEBRATION PODCAST: Shasta Bike Depot and Redding Bikeshare Project Completion: Shasta Living Streets the non-profit focused on biking and interconnected walking paths is celebrating the opening of their new, Shasta Bike Depot in Downtown Redding. Anne Thomas, the executive director of Shasta Living Streets, joins us on the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion to share with us this historic preservation project of converting the Bell Rooms brick structure into the Sha...
May 10, 2023•27 min
A NEW business rides on in to Downtown Redding. True Ride Studio is set to open in Downtown Redding on May 16th at their new location on 2100 Market Street. Co-Owner Laurie Ryan and Studio Manager Olivia Webb join us as our latest guests on the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion. True Ride is a boutique cycling and strength studio that offers high-energy, exhilarating classes for all levels. Whether you want to lose weight, stay in shape, get healthy, or meet new friends True Ride Studio has you ...
May 09, 2023•15 min
Alex Hauf-Belden, the NEW Managing Director of the Cascade Theatre, is our latest guest on the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion. In this month’s installment, Alex shares with us how the Cascade is an asset and resource for the community and the changes he is making to enhance the overall experience and quality of the Cascade Theatre. Thank you for joining us on the Downtown Discussion, Alex. The Cascade Theatre is an art deco theatre that was built in 1934. The theatre reopened to the public in...
Feb 12, 2023•26 min
🎙️ Downtown Discussion Podcast: Liz Crain, the 2023-24 Chairperson of Leadership Redding, is our latest guest on the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion. In this month’s installment, Liz shares with us Leadership Redding's (est. 1985) mission and explains how the nine month educational program is designed to prepare and shape the future of the Redding Region. Leadership Redding's monthly educational programming features different sectors of the Redding Community: public safety, arts and culture, ...
Jan 31, 2023•18 min
Downtown Discussion: Parking Podcast- City of Redding Transportation Planner, Zach Bonnin, joins Viva Downtown Program Coordinator, Blake Fisher, to discuss The City of Redding’s restructured Downtown Parking Plan that is set to be implemented in the new year after January 23, 2023. Zach, shares the history of parking in Downtown, the functionality of this restructured plan, and the timeline/realities of parking changes and how they affect Downtown transportation and the Downtown economy. This i...
Dec 22, 2022•23 min
New Downtown Discussion Podcast: Katie and Erik Janiszewski, from Start Up Redding, a program of the Shasta Economic Development Center, is our latest guest on the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion. In this episode Katie and Erik talk about the 7th annual Start Up Games , Friday November 4th - 6th at the IOOF Hall. The Start Up Games are an educational competition to teach the next steps after getting a great idea! Tickets are on sale now to participate in this 54 hour start up business competit...
Nov 02, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 19
This month, we're joined by Danny Orloff, the Tourism Marketing Director from Visit Redding to discuss the many tourism opportunities offered by Redding, Ca! Join our temporary host and Executive Director of Viva Downtown, John Truitt, in this month’s installment of our podcast, where we talk to the people who enhance to cultural, social and economic vitality of Downtown Redding. From VisitRedding.com: "Welcome to the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau! Our mission is simple. We want to enco...
Aug 18, 2022•23 min
Ronda Alvey, Editor in Chief of Enjoy Magazine, is our latest guest on the Viva Downtown Downtown Discussion. Join our temporary host and Executive Director of Viva Downtown, John Truitt, in this month’s installment of our podcast; where we talk to the people who enhance to cultural, social and economic vitality of Downtown Redding. In this episode Ronda talks about Enjoy Magazine, Riverfront Playhouse, and the many other hats she wears in our downtown. Enjoy is a free lifestyle magazine distrib...
Jun 03, 2022•26 min
