One of our favorites of the free summer concerts is the Riverstone Summer Concert Series in Riverstone Park on Thursday evenings starting July 10 through August 28 from 6-8 pm put on by the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance. Board members, Ruth Pratt and Max Mendez, share this season's line up, another exciting one with a variety of genres, and great opening acts. Bring your chair or blanket, get there early, and enjoy a drink or something to eat as you listen to great music in a gorgeous setting....
Jul 04, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 172
North Idaho native Caden Butera has been passionate about filmmaking for as long as he can remember. Driven by a lifelong mission to create art that offers fresh perspectives, sparks the imagination, and, above all, entertains, Caden has steadily turned his passion into a profession. He is the founder and owner of Paradox Studios, a multi-media production company specializing in original films as well as professional photo and video services. Paradox Studios is a family affair: Caden collaborate...
Jun 27, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 171
Michael B. Koep has built a life out of rhythm, storytelling, and adventure. A fourth-generation Coeur d’Alene native, he’s worn many hats—college educator, international touring musician, visual artist, novelist, and swordsman. Celebrating his 5th appearance on the podcast with the honorary 5-timer jacket, we talk to Michael about his passion for live music—and his deep love for the community—leading him to take up the mantle of Chris Guggemos, Coeur d’Alene’s legendary “Music Man.” Through KOE...
Jun 20, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 170
Fans of the Inland Northwest music scene might remember Manito Park, a melodic rock band from the early '90s. If you were old enough, you may even have seen them perform as they were regulars at the CDA Resort and the Fore and Aft. But even fewer likely recall the group’s earlier incarnation as Gotham. In 1989, Gotham released a powerful set of arena-style rock tracks—reminiscent of bands like Journey and Styx—on a cassette-only album titled Home Sweet Home. Now, more than 35 years later, that l...
Jun 13, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 169
What a pleasure visiting Barry Aiken in his recording studio to dive into his life as a jazz musician, composer, and founder of BareMic Music Studio in Coeur d’Alene. With over 25 years of professional experience, Barry’s career has taken him from San Diego to Vancouver, BC. Eventually, he chose to return to his roots in Idaho—a move that reflects the deep importance of home and community. In addition to performing and composing, Barry found a growing passion for teaching, which inspired him to ...
Jun 06, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 168
Adam Schluter, photojournalist and founder of Hello from a Stranger, moved to Coeur d'Alene a few years ago, knowing no one. Feeling isolated, he longed for real connection. Inspired by his mother’s tradition of Monday night family dinners, he opened his backyard to the community with one simple rule: bring a side dish—no business, no politics, no phones. Just genuine connection. This May marked his 90th Monday Night Dinner, a milestone that reflects the growing impact of these inclusive gatheri...
May 30, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 167
Meet Christina Crawford, actress, author, and performer in theater, film, and television. Her first book, Mommie Dearest, was a New York Times Bestseller in 1978. She has always been an advocate for social justice, particularly for the rights of children and women who have been assaulted or abused. Her unwavering belief in justice, regardless of when the abuse occurred, is a powerful message of empowerment and hope. Ali and Callie had the privilege of meeting Christina to delve into her enlighte...
May 23, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 166
Passion. Experience. Dedication. Words that describe Joel Riner’s photography career. Since his freshman year in college, Joel has pushed himself to become the best photographer, whether spending extra hours in the darkroom, trekking up mountains with his 4x5 camera or going in on days off to shoot some creative studio work. His passion for the craft has not faded over the years, and he is well-known in our area as “the” architectural photographer. Not wanting to be pigeon-holed in one specializ...
May 16, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 165
Christian Youth Theater (CYT North Idaho) is not just a theater program, it's a comprehensive after-school arts education program for ages 5-18. It offers a wide range of classes throughout the year, including drama, music, dance, technical theater, and more, ensuring that every child's unique talents and interests are nurtured. This week, Dawn Simmons, the Executive Managing Director of Christian Youth Theater North talks about the history of CYT and the importance of this great program to the ...
May 09, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 164
Kennedy Shioya, who holds a B.F.A. in painting from Boise State, grew up in a creative household learning to sew from her Grandmother. An accomplished painter, Kennedy discovered her love for handcrafted leather bags and accessories in 2022, after becoming more excited about functional art. With her experience in sewing, she took a big step to create Kumé Designs, specializing in leatherworking and making handbags, cross-body purses, totes, wallets, and more. She has several exciting markets lin...
May 02, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 163
Meet Sara Bruner, Producing Artistic Director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Hannah Read Newbill, Festival Director of Marketing. We had a lively and inspiring conversation about the upcoming season and the immense effort it takes to bring five exceptional professional productions to life, running from May through September at the festival’s stunning outdoor amphitheater. This 770-seat, state-of-the-art venue is thoughtfully designed to enhance the natural power of the human voice, while...
Apr 25, 2025•46 min•Season 5Ep. 162
The Idaho Commission on the Arts is a state agency committed to making the arts accessible to all Idahoans. Executive Director, Laura Curry, and Artist Services Director, John McMahon talked to us about the state of the arts in Idaho, what Arts Idaho does, how it is funded, and what the future holds. Arts Idaho: Inspiring, Educating, and Supporting Through the Arts Strengthening communities by connecting them through the power of the arts. Prioritizing arts education, ensuring creative opportuni...
Apr 18, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 161
Louisiana native Jimmy Lewis grew up immersed in Cajun traditions in the small town of Roanoke, about three hours northwest of New Orleans. Each year, he brings a taste of the South to the Northwest by hosting a classic crawfish boil, complete with "mudbugs" shipped in fresh from Louisiana. The annual event, now a tribute to his late wife, has become a beloved community gathering, with all proceeds benefiting the Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance. This year’s Lisa Lewis Memorial Crawfish...
Apr 11, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 160
Hara Allison, a highly skilled graphic designer, photographer, former podcaster, and publisher, has recently launched her passion project: Dream Studio—a space where creativity knows no bounds. Dream Studio offers meticulously curated sets and an expansive room that serves as a blank canvas, ready to be transformed by your imagination. The concept for Dream Studio was born from Hara’s own experience renting studio space for her photography and the exhausting task of hauling equipment. To address...
Apr 04, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 159
There is so much happening this summer. Listen in as Ali & Callie and Kristin (our producer who we actually gave the mic to this time) go over the highlights of performances so you can plan ahead! Aspire Community Theater – aspirecda.com at Midge & Pepper Smock Family Theater at the Kroc (1765 W Golf Course Rd, CDA) Guys and Dolls – April 25-May 4 Catch Me If You Can – Aug 1-10 CDA Summer Theatre - cstidaho.com at North Idaho College (1000 W Garden Avenue, CDA) Clue the Musical – April 1...
Mar 28, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 158
Erin Hall, a talented singer-songwriter and cellist from Boise, Idaho, now resides and creates music in New York City. She was featured in the "Idaho in Song" series on Idaho Public Television, Season 8, episode 5, where she premiered her song "Lullaby of 55." This episode can be viewed online at PBS' Idaho Experience Series "Idaho in Song" . The series highlights songs inspired by Idaho's history and its distinctive musical style. "Lullaby of 55" is a heartfelt tribute to Erin’s father, Richard...
Mar 21, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 157
You know we all need to laugh... it is so good for our psyche... especially these days. This episode features Alvin Williams, a “stand-up” comedian since his post grad years in Boise in 2006. We had so much fun laughing and chatting with him. For years, he has brought his unique brand of humor to a live audience, touring the United States and Canada from cruise ships to comedy clubs. Alvin's comedic style can now be enjoyed on the Audible Channel Series Sounds Like America, and his 4th comedy sp...
Mar 14, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 156
Artist Elizabeth Wilkes' journey is a powerful example of how art can be a tool for healing and recovery. It’s fascinating hearing how she used color and intentional creativity to not only rebuild her artistic expression but also reconnect the neural pathways in her brain. The idea of painting with her left hand to facilitate healing adds a deeply personal and neuroplastic element to her process. The impact of art therapy is something that’s becoming more recognized in psychological and emotiona...
Mar 07, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 155
Theater on the Verge is a new independent theater company based in Spokane, Washington that believes theater should be a visceral, personal experience—one that ignites conversation, inspires connection, and leaves a lasting impact. (To quote a favorite show , we’d rather be “nine people’s favorite thing than a hundred people’s ninth-favorite thing.”) Co-founders Troy Nickerson and Chris Jensen talk to us about what inspired them to start a new theater company and how they chose their first show....
Feb 28, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 154
We recently had the exciting opportunity to engage with Trey Busch, one of the visionary founders of Sleight of Hand Winery nestled in Walla Walla, Washington. Accompanying us was Sommelier Krista French and Robby French from Stylus Wine & Vinyl Bar, our local experts in wine and music. Since its founding in 2007, Sleight of Hand Cellars has emerged as a standout among Washington State’s new wave of wineries. Recognized as one of "The Next Cult Wineries" by Seattle Magazine and celebrated in...
Dec 06, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 153
A poet laureate is a poet who has been appointed by a government or some other organization. It is their responsibility promote poetry, which usually includes composing and reciting poems for special occasions. Recently, the CDA Arts Commission appointed Jennifer Passaro as the city’s first Poet Laureate. Jennifer studied English and creative writing at the University of Montana and is excited to share poetry with community members, particularly those from vulnerable populations. The goal of the...
Nov 22, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 152
Bill Weimuth has spent the last 20 years writing, producing, and publishing a diverse collection of works, including books, audiobooks, video presentations, a documentary film, and online courses that explore American history. His first novel, *Down the Rivers of Peril*, is based on the true story of the journey to transport America’s first Western steamboat, the “New Orleans,” from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. This 2,200-mile voyage, taken by the Roosevelt family in 1811, involved enduring floods...
Nov 14, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 151
Ellen Travolta, a beloved guest of the Ali & Callie Artcast, has graced us with her incredible stories and vibrant spirit over four seasons. As the first guest to appear five times in a gesture of our appreciation, we presented her with an Ali & Callie five-timer jacket, celebrating her as a valued member of our show and community. Thank you so much, Ellen, for your continued dedication to the arts. We truly appreciate you. This winter, Ellen will be acting in a Hallmark movie and produc...
Nov 08, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 150
Lorna Hamilton, a versatile figure as a choreographer, director, producer, and author, shares her journey with Ali and Callie, starting in Coeur d’Alene in the 70s. Lorna, a recipient of the 2024 Mayor’s Award in Excellence of the Arts, has a humble dedication to the Arts in this community. She has authored two books, The Caregiver’s Story: Trading Anguish for a Life of Gratitude, a moving account of her ten-year journal chronicling the joys and challenges of caring for her ailing mother after a...
Nov 01, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 149
Mystic Mountain Music is a unique collaboration between two distinct singers, Hanna Rebecca and Meridith Vesser. Both bring their individual backgrounds in a cappella music and choir to the table. Their meeting on social media and subsequent friendship led to the creation of beautiful harmonies, with each taking turns to play the guitar. Their repertoire includes a mix of originals, covers, and mash-ups. The Indie Folk Rock Duo, formed a little over a year ago, has a unique story that continues ...
Oct 25, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 148
Shakespeare, even after over 400 years, is still an appeal to so many. And now Shakespeare has made its way to Coeur d'Alene, thanks to the passion of Mary Bowers who holds a masters in Shakespeare studies and found her love for the bard in London. Shakespeare CDA's performance of Macbeth, perfect for the Halloween season, runs Oct 17-19, and Oct 24-26 at the Kroc Theater in Coeur d'Alene. Tickets and more information can be found at shakespearecda.org ....
Oct 18, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 147
The Kootenai Environmental Alliance's longest-running annual fundraising event, Junk 2 Funk, is scheduled for October 12, 2024 in the ballroom at the Eagles in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Junk 2 Funk is a unique runway fashion show that features outfits made from at least 80% recycled items or garbage, presenting a "trashy" fashion concept. Local artists design their outfits and model them on a runway in this very fun and popular event. This year, Ali & Callie will showcase their own design on t...
Oct 12, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 146
Mary Lee Ryba, originally from Massachusetts, has been the Assistant Dean for Development at the University of Idaho, College of Engineering for over 17 years. She is currently serving as the chair of the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission. The Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission is appointed to aid the Mayor and the City in formulating and administering public art policy for the City. The vision of the Arts Commission is to build an exceptional collection of public art that defines the community and disti...
Oct 04, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 145
Susie Fieckert spent most of her life living in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., where she worked in corporate sales. After her kids went off to college and she experienced an unexpected divorce, she decided it was time to start a new chapter in her life. With some convincing from friends, Susie joined an online dating service and eventually met her husband, Rich. As they traveled to find their new home, they ended up in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho by happenstance. During the long winters, she wanted s...
Sep 27, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 144
Max Mendez, a multi-talented individual, is involved in various artistic and musical endeavors. He is a musician, conductor, opera singer, educator, and podcaster, as well as the host of Beer Choir. Beer Choir is a national singing movement creating a fun and inclusive activity where everyone, regardless of their singing experience, is welcome to join in, sing, and enjoy some drinks together. It's an opportunity for all to be part of the choir and have a great time. The Beer Choir Coeur d'Alene ...
Sep 20, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 143
