Ali & Callie Artcast

Ep 175: Bringing Levity to Life with Noah Johnson of Levity Theatre

Meet Noah Johnson, founder of Levity Theatre and a passionate force in the world of improv since 2018. With experience as a performer, teacher, and creator of the Northwest Improv Fest, Noah brings energy, warmth, and joy to everything he does. He especially loves helping people step outside their comfort zones, embrace their authentic selves, and discover the magic of being a little silly.

Levity Theatre takes its name from the word “levity”—lightness of mind, spirit, and humor—and that philosophy shines through in every performance and class. Based in Coeur d’Alene, Levity Theatre offers high-quality improv that’s clever, original, family-friendly, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Beyond regular improv shows, Levity offers ongoing 4-week improv class sessions each month, plus workshops open to all experience levels. Whether you're a performer, student, audience member, wizard, or someone with an excellent collection of weird hats—there’s a place for you at Levity.

Get involved or learn more at levitytheatre.com

Ep 174: Meaghan Sheets, Mrs. Idaho American

More Than Makeup: Meaghan’s Mission of Confidence and Kindness

With a heart for encouraging others, Meaghan is on a mission to help women build confidence from the inside out. She is the proud owner of a salon that doubles as a drop-off location for beauty and hygiene products benefiting Project Beauty Share. Through her platform, #MoreThanMakeup, she empowers women by coordinating donation drives, leading confidence-building workshops, and providing makeovers to help women feel seen, valued, and loved. She uses her brushes as the tools for change and connection and is passionate about helping others step into their worth, with one lipstick and one act of kindness at  a time.

 Meaghan resides in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her loving family. As a mom of two and the wife of a Marine veteran, she brings a deep understanding of faith, family and service to everything she does. 

​She is also the author of 52 Words of Encouragement, a devotional-style book that inspires women to embrace their God-given identity one word at a time. Whether she’s mentoring moms, tending to her garden, or serving as a board member for Brighter Life Foundation, she leads with compassion and joy. Meaghan is most looking forward to traveling all throughout Idaho spreading love and encouragement everywhere she goes! 

For more about Meaghan visit https://www.idahoamericapageant.com/mrsidahoamerican. And be sure to watch the Mrs. American pageant live-streamed from Las Vegas on August 27.

Ep 173: Paper Flowers: Remembering Fleetwood Mac

Paper Flowers: Remembering Fleetwood Mac is an exceptionally talented tribute band featuring Allison McCready, Cary Beare, Brian Burke, and Kosh—musicians recognized as some of the finest in the industry. Together, they bring the legendary music of Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie to life with passion and precision. Their performance is a heartfelt homage to the iconic sound and enduring influence of Fleetwood Mac.

Get to know the band members and discover what led them to this incredibly successful venture.

To find out where you can catch their next show, visit paperflowersmusic.com or contact ian@atomicmusicgroup.com.

Note: We experimented with a new setup for this complex recording and encountered some technical challenges. We've worked hard to minimize them in post-production.

Ep 172: 2025 Riverstone Summer Concerts Series

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.

For more information about the concerts visit artsandculturecda.org.

Ep 171: Caden Butera, North Idaho Filmmaker Bringing Bold Stories to Life

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 collaborates closely with his brother, Rylan Butera, who serves as co-writer and composer, and their parents, Jackie Butera (Producer and Unit Production Manager) and Mark Butera (Executive Producer).

Caden’s first full-length feature film, Recollection: A Sci-Fi Thriller, has been earning accolades on the film festival circuit. Set in a near future where technology allows people to erase painful memories, the story follows Kate, a woman whose supposedly deleted memories resurface—revealing a disturbing truth about her past and the powerful company behind the technology.

The Paradox Studios team is currently working to bring Recollection to a wider audience through a streaming platform.

To watch the trailer or explore more of Caden’s work, visit paradoxstudiosco.com.

Ep 170: Keeping up with Michael Koep

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 5^th 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 KOEP Concerts, he ensures that North Idaho summers are filled with music, producing the Cd’A City Park Concert Series, the Hayden Summer Concert Series, and the high-energy Music at McEuen Wednesdays.

For more on the concert series’ visit koepconcerts.com.

Ep 169: Gotham, 1980s Coeur d'Alene Band

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 long-lost recording is getting a fresh revival.

Thanks to Australian label Melodic Rock Classics, known for unearthing hidden gems, the album was recently reissued on May 30 as Pictures, available on CD and digital download. The updated release also includes three remastered tracks from the band’s Manito Park era, giving listeners a fuller sense of their musical journey. For a dose of vintage Spokane AOR sound, preorders are now open through Melodic Rock Classics.

You can find them at https://melodicrockclassics.com/gotham.html or on your favorite music streaming app.

Ep 168: Barry Aiken, Bare Mic Music Studio

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 open BareMic Music, a school where he now teaches piano, drums, and composition. His goal: to create a space where music matters—where students can collaborate and explore genres from jazz and pop to classical.

Known for his high-energy performances and magnetic stage presence, Barry has built a loyal fanbase. His music—a distinctive fusion of contemporary jazz and R&B with both classic and modern influences—is defined by a strong groove and melodic depth that resonates with music lovers.

If you’re lucky, you can catch Barry live at The Depot, or at two upcoming shows:

• Art on the Green – August 1, 2025

• Riverstone Concert Series (with Balboa Park) – August 28, 2025

You can find Barry on Facebook and Instagram @barryaiken

Ep 167: Adam Schluter, Building Community, One Monday at a Time

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 gatherings.

Now, Adam is launching a new series: OFF Monday Nights—evenings of art, culture, and connection on the Mondays without a regular dinner. Kicking off June 2nd with improv from Levity Theatre (CDA/Spokane), future nights will feature storytelling, stand-up, poetry, and more.

The format:
Dinner from 6:00–7:30 p.m., followed by a show.
Guests bring a side dish and a $10 suggested donation (which goes directly to the performers).

While the first half of the night encourages conversation and connection, the second half invites the community to settle in and enjoy the show.

It’s all part of Adam’s mission: bringing people together, one shared meal—and now, one performance—at a time.

For more information, visit the Monday Night Dinners Facebook page. And the Off Monday Night Dinners page as well.

Ep 166: Christina Crawford, Author

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 enlightening book, Daughters of the Inquisition: Medieval Madness: Origins and Aftermath. This literary masterpiece provides a comprehensive account of the events that have shaped modern womanhood in the Western world, offering a unique perspective on 'Herstory'. The book's primary focus is the evolution of women’s spiritual communion, chronicling cultural, industrial, governmental, and gender dynamics throughout the centuries. It explores the impact of the Inquisition on women's lives, their struggles, and their resilience in the face of oppression. It also sheds light on the aftermath of the Inquisition and its lasting effects on the status of women in society.

Since 1993, Christina has called the Inland Northwest her home, where she has embarked on diverse experiences. She has been a B&B owner, a regional TV show host at Channel 24 in Spokane, WA, a county commissioner, and the Entertainment Manager for the CDA Casino. 

“Own your life, own your journey, honor that journey, and understand that is the only reason you are graced with life.”

You can find her books on Amazon.