Ali & Callie Artcast

Ep 162: Idaho Shakespeare Festival with Sara Bruner and Hannah Read Newbill

Meet Sarah 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 seamlessly blending into the breathtaking landscape that surrounds it—a habitat rich with diverse plant and animal life.

The Festival thrives through a meaningful partnership with the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Its mission reaches beyond entertainment, embracing education and community engagement through the magic of live theater. A proud member of the Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA), the Idaho Shakespeare Festival invites you to be part of a truly unforgettable season beneath the enchanting Idaho skies.

Learn more at idahoshakespeare.org — and don’t miss your chance to experience this remarkable celebration of art and nature.

Ep 161: Laura Curry and John McMahon with Arts Idaho

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 opportunities for learners of all ages.
• Supporting individual artists in their growth and professional journey.

For more information visit arts.idaho.gov. @idahocommissiononthearts

Ep 160: Jimmy Lewis and the Annual Lisa Lewis Memorial Crawfish Boil

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 Boil for the Arts takes place on Saturday, May 17, from 1–6 PM at The Elk Resort (Stella’s on the Hill). Expect a day full of zydeco music, great food and drink, and lots of laughs—all for a great cause.

Get your tickets and more information at:
alicallieartcast.com/crawfishboil
And be sure to follow the Crawfish Boil Facebook page for updates!

Ep 159: Hara Allison and Dream Studio

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 this, the studio features three beautifully designed rooms with fully equipped sets, along with a prop room stocked with everything from costumes to fabrics, crowns, and drapery. There's even a dedicated makeup and hairstyling station to complete the experience.

In addition to offering rental space for photographers, videographers, and other creatives, Dream Studio also provides educational opportunities. On Saturday, April 12, a free lighting class will be held, along with a Model Coaching session on April 25 led by two professional models for a small fee.

You can reserve your rental time, register for classes, or find more information at dreamstudionw.com.

To find out more about Hara, visit hara.photography. And you can find her "Beneath Your Beautiful" podcast on your favorite podcast app.

 

Ep 158: 2025 Regional Events Kickoff for spring and summer

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 18-26
  with the NIC Drama Department
• Hello Dolly – June 27 – July 6
• Anastasia the Musical – July 18-27
• She Loves Me – Aug 8-17

Lake City Playhouse - lakecityplayhouse.org
at Lake City Playhouse (1320 E Garden Ave)

• Steel Magnolias – Apr 18-20
• School of Rock – May 2-18

CYT – cytnorthidaho.org

• Peter Pan Jr – May 9-10 at Mt Lakes Bible Church (2215 N 7^th, CDA)
• Mary Poppins – May 16-25 at the Kroc
• Annie – Aug 15-24 at the Kroc

CDA-ACT cdaact.com
the Kroc (1765 W Golf Course Rd, CDA)

• Cinderella youth edition – Nov 7-10

Spokane Best of Broadway Series -
at the First Interstate Arts Center in downtown Spokane

• Hamilton – Apr 8-20
• Champions of Magic – May 17
• Riverdance – May 28-29
• Book of Mormon – June 3-7
• Mama Mia – June 17-22
• MJ the Musical – July 8-13

Theater on the Verge – theaterontheverge.com
at The Hamilton Studio (1425 W Dean Avenue, Spokane)

• Green Day’s American Idiot – July 18-Aug 2

Spokane Valley Summer Theater – svsummertheatre.com
at University High School Theater (12420 E 32^nd Ave, Spokane Valley)

• Pirates of Penzance – June 20-July 6
• A Grand Night for Singing – July 11-19
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat – Aug 1-17

Spokane Civic Theater – spokanecivictheatre.com
at the Spokane Civic Theater (1020 N Howard St, Spokane)

• Romeo and Juliet – Mar 28-Apr 13
• Reader’s Theater: I Hate Hamlet – Apr 4-6
• The Beauty Queen of Leenane – May 2-18
• Waitress – May 15-June 16
• Wind in the Willows – July 18-27
• Peter and the Starcatcher – Aug 8-17

Spokane Symphony – Spokane Symphony

Coeur d’Alene Symphony – cdasymphony.org

• Summer Concert Series
  Riverstone Summer Concert Series – Riverstone Summer Concert Series
• Koep Concerts – koepconcerts.com

Ep 157: Erin Hall, Singer, Songwriter and Cellist

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 Hall, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020. The song reflects the emotional journey from Boise to McCall on Interstate 55, a route that holds deep personal meaning for her. Erin’s musical style blends influences from Latin, jazz, blues, and French pop, which were further shaped during her time in Belgium as part of a Rotary Exchange scholarship. Her lyrics, sung in both French and English, explore the beauty of everyday life and the surprising wonders of nature. Erin’s music is available on all major streaming platforms under the names Erin Hall and Erin and Her Cello, or you can visit her website at erinhallmusic.com.

Be sure to listen to the end as Erin gave us permission to add her beautiful song to the podcast.

Ep 156: Alvin Williams, Comedian

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 special, “Don’t Let the Devil Know...” is a must-watch on YouTube. Alvin’s comedy perfectly blends current events, relationship advice, family dynamics, and pop culture, ensuring a diverse and engaging experience for the audience.
Originally from Chicago, Alvin now calls Idaho home. He recently had a successful comedy show in Boise at the Egyptian Theatre and will be back by popular demand on July 12 at the Egyptian.
Don't miss the opportunity to catch Alvin host Comedy Night live on April 4-5 at 7:00 pm at the Club at Prairie Falls. Tickets are only $35 each or a table of eight for $240 and are available at prairiefallscomedy.com Follow Alvin on Instagram @Comicalvinwillams or visit his website at alvinwilliamscomedy.com.

Ep 155: Elizabeth Wilkes, Renewing Your Mind through Art

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 emotional healing, and Elizabeth's story exemplifies how much potential it has. It's great to hear that she now shares this healing journey with others through art, helping others overcome their trauma as well.

Visit her collection of art, or get in touch with her through her website at renewyourmindart.com.

Ep 154: Theater on the Verge

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.

Their first performance "Every Brilliant Thing" runs February 27 - March 15 at the Hamilton Studio in Spokane. This one man show, starring Doug Dawson, is heart-wrenching, hilarious…one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop.

For information about show times and to purchase tickets, visit theaterontheverge.com.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or know of someone who is, call 988 to get the help and support you need. It's free. It's confidential. And connects you with a trained crisis counselor.

Ep 153: Trey Busch, Sleight of Hand Winemaker and Music Lover

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 Wine Spectator, several of their superb wines—including the acclaimed 2015 Levitation and 2016 Archimage—have secured spots on various prestigious industry "Top 100" lists.

For wine and music enthusiasts, the winery's tasting rooms offer an unforgettable experience. With over 3,000 albums spanning a multitude of genres, both the Walla Walla and Seattle locations feature turntables spinning vinyl records, creating a unique ambiance. At their Walla Walla property, visitors can relax in the Wine Club Lounge while savoring heavenly, high-quality wines. Plus, there's a cozy vinyl shop to explore as you enjoy your tastings.

The Wine Illusionist Society is thrilled to partner with the iconic Sub Pop Records in Seattle. With every shipment, the Society delights members by providing the latest and greatest tracks from Sub Pop as digital downloads, ensuring the perfect soundtrack to accompany your wine experience!

For more details, visit sofhcellars.com and discover the magic of Sleight of Hand Cellars.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Robby and Krista French and the incredible staff at Stylus Wine and Vinyl Bar. Visit styluswineandvinylbar.com for more information.