Ali & Callie Artcast

Ep 143: Max Mendez and Beer Choir

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 chapter was the first established chapter after the original was created in 2015 by composer Michael Engelhardt in Minnesota. Beer Choir now has over 30 chapters across the country. Our local Beer Choir holds monthly singing events at the Crown and Thistle from September through May and has become a popular night in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Max Mendez has been actively contributing to the arts in the Inland Northwest for more than 25 years. He has been involved with various organizations such as North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Inland Northwest Opera, Spokane Valley Summer Theater, and the Spokane and Walla Walla Symphonies. Additionally, Max serves on the Board of the Arts & Culture Alliance and has recently launched a new business venture called Thrive-Learn-Connect, which is a podcast focusing on personal and professional development for a balanced work-life integration.

If you're interested in participating in Beer Choir, mark your calendar for the start date on September 26, 2024, at the Crown & Thistle from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The events will continue through May 2025. For additional information and event dates, please visit beerchoir.com or find them on Facebook at beerchoircda.

If you are interested in starting a Beer Choir in your area visit beerchoir.com/membership-levels

Ep 142: Mary Crane Nutter, Walla Walla Artist

The 4th episode in our Walla Walla series was a delightful conversation with artist Mary Crane Nutter, a painter from Walla Walla, Washington. Her studio is at her home and small farm with a traditional barn. A few years ago, Mary partnered with her sister Sarah Crane, a graphic designer and photographer, to create a neighborhood art and performance experience for the community. She discovered her new style at the farm: color-blocked paintings on panels inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch barn star artwork, which she calls "quilts." She mounted large-scale panels on her barn for the festival; the rest is history.

Mary attended the Seattle Art Institute in 2003, which furthered her desire to become a painter. Her work as an interior designer inspired her to work in textiles. She loves adding textures, sanding elements, and acrylic mediums to build up the piece's texture. Her works are displayed not only in Walla Walla; she currently has an exhibition at the Strauss Studios called "Liminal." You can also view her artwork on Instagram (@mcraneart), at mcraneart.com and at john-strauss-furniture.myshopify.com.

Ep 141: ArtWalla with board member Tricia Harding

Tricia Harding has been a board member of ArtWalla for the past eight years. ArtWalla is an organization that initially focused on public art and continues to educate the artistic community. Tricia was the chair of the City Commission for Art in Public Places. She is very proud of all that ArtWalla has accomplished in such a short time. Tricia is also a mixed-media paper artist who loves working in her studio and collaborating with creative people. Find out more about what’s happening in the arts in Walla Walla!

For more information visit artwalla.com.

Ep 140: Tyson Kaup, Walla Walla Summer Theater Executive Artistic Director

We had the opportunity to interview Tyson Kaup, the Executive Artistic Director of Walla Walla Summer Theater, a non-profit theater company in its second season. Tyson, an accomplished actor, director, and producer, grew up in the Walla Walla area and moved to New York at the age of 20. After many years of success in the city and starting a family, he decided to return to his roots. Tyson's goal is to establish a world-class, professional summer theater organization and training program.

Ali, Kristin, and I were thrilled to attend their impressive production of Beauty and the Beast, featuring our very own Elaina Dejong from Coeur d’Alene. The show was presented as a fundraiser for the restoration and ongoing support of the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater, a 1500-seat outdoor venue that will serve as the future home of Walla Walla Summer Theater.

Stay tuned to hear more from Tyson about the essential qualities he believes are important for success in the theater industry.

For more information visit wallawallasummertheater.org or @wallawallasummertheater

Ep 139: Mary Derby, DAMA Wines Founder and Winemaker

Mary Derby, the founder of DAMA Wines created, owned, and managed by women. Not only is she a wine-lover, but Mary Derby, the founder of DAMA Wines, is a wine enthusiast and a classically trained opera singer from Minnesota. Along with her husband, Devin, she co-created the brand of wines known as Spring Valley Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley and after the untimely passing of her husband, Mary, and her young son, faced the difficult decision of whether to stay in the Valley or return to the Midwest. Supported by 9 other nationally recognized winemakers and friends, they produced a special Syrah vintage called “Devin” in honor of her late husband. Mary's exceptional palate, passion for singing (she actually studied to be an opera singer), and the support of her friends add a unique balance and style to her wines. Learn more about Mary's incredible journey to becoming one of the finest winemakers in the area. 

To find out about Mary and her wines, visit damawines.com or find them on Facebook @damawines.

Ep 138: Caden Butera, Director and writer for Paradox Studios

Caden Butera, a talented filmmaker hailing from Coeur d’Alene, wears multiple hats as a writer, director, and editor. He has a passion for creating captivating short films that have garnered attention at the prestigious “50 Hour Slam” in Spokane as well as through online platforms. Embarking on his creative journey at the age of ten, Caden, alongside his supportive family, leads "Paradox Studios," a dynamic videography/photography enterprise that crafts compelling content for the local film industry in the Inland Northwest. As an artist who has honed his craft over the years, Caden's earlier works can be discovered on YouTube. Presently, he is immersed in the post-production phase of his second feature film, a spellbinding sci-fi thriller titled "Recollection." In sharing his experiences, Caden offers valuable insights into the trials and triumphs associated with the production, direction, and scripting of a full-length feature film.

Find his movie shorts and trailers at paradoxstudiosco.com. Or on YouTube at CadenButera.

Ep 137: The Sylte Sisters, Singing Duo

We were honored to talk with “The Boyle Fuel Twins”, Deanna, and Deanda Sylte, growing up on a ranch in Rathdrum, Idaho that was originally owned by Frederick Post.

At nine years old, the Sylte Sisters first appeared on “Starlit Stairway” on KXLY in 1953, Spokane’s answer to “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Performing for six years on the show, they pursued their Hollywood dreams with their older sister Joan, where they recorded their first record .45 “Ballad of Lover’s Hill.” The sisters sang on shows with Roy Rogers and Dale Evens, Pat Boone, Arthur Godfrey, Liberace, and Jim Backus.  They then traveled abroad, singing for Indonesian President Sukarno and royalty in Vietnam and Afghanistan. They also performed for the king and queen of Thailand, the king of Nepal, the Shah and queen of Iran, and the king and queen of Cambodia.

Deanna is also an accomplished watercolorist and graphic designer. Deanda is a psychotherapist. Enjoy listening to the tales of these talented sisters.

You can see the two of them singing on Starlit Stairway on YouTube.

Ep 136: Tarin Leach, AltWalk Artist

Tarin Leach, an artist who studied Social Sculpture at the University of Idaho and former instructor at Gizmo, is associated with CDA Galleries, Emerge, and the Art on the Edge Program. She will be hosting the first AltWalk: Estate Pop-up Show in Coeur d’Alene on August 9 from 4-9 pm at her home. Tarin looks forward to welcoming visitors to her estate gallery, offering an open house and garden tour as a unique addition to the ArtWalk. She believes that art is life, and her pop-up estate gallery will showcase an eclectic array of paintings, sculptures, and drawings throughout the house and backyard, along with poetry readings and more experiential art.

For more information visit her on instagram @tarinleach

Ep 135: Carrie Scozzaro, artist, writer and educator

Carrie Scozzaro, a dedicated art teacher, accomplished freelance writer, and talented artist, has carefully curated an exquisite exhibition titled "In the Mean Time." This captivating showcase opens on August 2, coinciding with First Friday in Spokane, and is gracefully hosted by Terrain, captivating audiences through the entire month of August. During a compelling discussion, Carrie provided deep insights into the profound meaning behind the show's title and shared her collaborative journey with eight other skilled artists. Together, they skillfully crafted a collection that delves into a language inspired by literature and current events, purposefully exploring the intricate intersection of culture and language. As spectators engage with the exhibition, they are invited to interpret and uncover personal significance within each remarkable piece.

For more information visit terrainspokane.com

For a complete calendar listing of arts events in the area visit inlander.com

Ep 134: Koep Concerts with Michael Koep

Not only does Michael Koep write books, play drums in one or more bands, and pour himself in creating a shire-like home complete with studio in the back that accommodates his creative projects; but now he has taken over the Sunday in the Park concert series in Coeur d'Alene called Koep Concerts. This concert series was formerly run by the late Chris Guggemos, known locally as "The Music Man."  After Chris died in 2022 from a 6-year battle with cancer, Michael was approached by many in the area (including Chris' family) to continue this popular, free concert series for the community.

Michael talks about this year's lineup, his annual tribute concert to Chris featuring local singer/songwriters, and catches us up on the other projects in his life that he has talked about with us in previous episodes (Ep 4, 11, and 75).

To learn more about Koep Concerts visit koepconcerts.com.