Ali & Callie Artcast

Our women's history month series continues with one of our strong female leaders, Linda Coppess, President and CEO of the CDA Regional Chamber of Commerce. Thinking outside the box is the strategy of keeping a chamber alive and relevant in today's world. Linda talks about how adapting to the changing environment Is bringing exciting new ideas and ways of improving our community and getting businesses involved in the process.

For more information on the chamber visit cdachamber.com.

Many artists begin their creative ventures when they retire. Cyndie Hammond, a former educator and higher education administrator, found her creative outlet in elaborate and unique colored pencil drawings. Her first attempt was entering a contest for the Coeur d'Alene Art on the Green poster contest, and she won! That inspired her to keep going, as she explored old houses, trees, horses and more.

To see Cyndie's art, visit cjhammondart.com, or visit her on Instagram @cjhammondart.

With March being Women's History month, we thought we would start by catching up with our own Ellen Travolta who shares about her late husband, Jack Bannon, and the fund for the arts set up through the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance. We talk about Jack, the fund and how to apply, and more.

Director, Tracy Benson and Lead Actor, Thomas Gandy talk to us about the rarely produced Monte Python's musical spoof with a twist, lovingly ripped off from the Monte Python and the Holy Grail first time ever at the Kroc Center opening February 8. Spamalot offers everything that makes a great night from French taunters, killer rabbits, flying cows, dancing girls and of course, the Lady of the Lake. The musical offers a highly irreverent parody of the legend of King Arthur. Produced by Aspire Community Theater

Tickets will go fast so don't wait! Visit aspirecda.com.

Season 3 finale could be called "Whine with Kevin and Stu," the husbands of Ali and Callie who are often the subject of their banter. The guys wanted a chance to set the record straight! A great way to end the season with great stories shared, laughter, and love.

We all wish you the very best Thanksgiving. We are thankful for you!

The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association in partnership with the Arts & Culture Alliance are bringing an illuminated outdoor art experience for all ages to take place every evening starting January 26 through February 4. Locals & visitors are invited to downtown Coeur d’Alene to journey through an immersive wonderland of large-scale, light-based artworks, interactive displays and colorfully lit sculptures. The outdoor event is free for patrons to stroll through and celebrate the Northwest winter season as downtown glows from featured works of art from local, national, and international artists. 

Emily Boyd, Downtown Association Director and Chloe Linton, Downtown Association Event Coordinator talk about the process, the awesome artist who is bringing in a awesome interactive art display, and the window art by local artists that will make the downtown absolutely sparkle in the dreary part of late January to early February.

Artists are encouraged to submit to the artist call to design cool lighted art displays for downtown business windows for a stipend. To submit a proposal, visit the jot form site.

For more information about this event, and to keep up with the news as it becomes available, visit cdadowntown.com.

"The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization." Frank Lloyd Wright

Rod Rada, originally from Patagonia Chile, is an architect at Architects West in Coeur d'Alene. Such a fascinating conversation from a man who has been all over the world, that we are lucky enough to have living and working here in Coeur d'Alene. 

Rod has been active with the Kids Draw Architecture program of the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance which is a one-day program in September pairing kids with local architects, designers, and artists to learn to draw, while given the opportunity to appreciate our local architecture and history. Kids Draw Architecture is sponsored by Architects West.

For more information visit artsandculturecda.or/kids-draw-architecture.

A delightful conversation with several members of CDA ACT (Celebrating Different Abilities through Art and Community Theatre), a theatre program that provides adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities the experience of participating in live theater. 

We talk to the director, some of the actors, and several of the other creative volunteers who are working on their next production, Elf the Musical, Jr which will run Nov 2-5 at the Midge and Pepper Smock Theater at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. Our guests included Director Jamie Sciarrio, Crew Members Paul Sciarrio and Janean Jorgensen, Shadows Ray Krueger and Becca Basta, and Actors Logan Basta and Madison Bronson.

For more information on tickets, how to get involved and general information about this amazing company, visit cdaact.com.

The Divas are back! Sandra Marlowe and Carol Davis talk about their upcoming show "What She Did... a feminine perspective" at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post Falls on October 27 and 28. With seven amazing women, this is a lovely mix of country, jazz, broadway, blues and pop music mixed in with a fun perspective on womanhood. A great opportunity for men to get enlightened!

Last year's "What She Said" sold out, and they expect the same this year, so get your tickets early at thejacklincenter.org

Join Ellen Travolta, Mary Sanderson and Ruth Pratt as we reminisce about our friend and long time art supporter, Roberta Larsen, who just won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 CDA Mayor's Awards in the Arts. Roberta, who passed away just after her 87th birthday in early August, was loved by many for her passion for arts, education and the environment, and her quick, dry wit.

Roberta Larsen was a person who clearly understood that art is everywhere…not just confined to galleries or museums. She knew that supporting and encouraging the arts leads to a healthy, vibrant and thoughtful community. As an educator herself, she also realized that the arts (in all forms) matter because they build culture and understanding through stretching and challenging us…bringing enlightenment in important ways.

Roberta has been and always will be a true gem in the crown of our arts community. Her impact will be felt and remembered for many years to come.

A lovely tribute to a great lady through fun stories about her life.