Ali & Callie Artcast

Established in 2003, Inland Northwest Opera brings world-class talent to our region while providing a stage for local professionals to share their artistry with an engaged and inspired community.

Mike Bullard, board member, volunteer, and performer, talks to us about this valuable organization and its return thanks to some passionate folks in our community.

Inland Northwest Opera is a 501(c)(3) organization who produces opera which inspires and educates young and old, provides opportunity for local singers, and fosters access to the dramatic arts in the Inland Northwest.

Be sure to join them on Sunday, October 12 at 3 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in CDA for a free afternoon performance dedicated to Menotti’s extraordinary ability to blend heart, humor, and humanity in music in The Human Spirit Demands to be Heard.

More events are planned with a big stage production of Die Fledermaus at North Idaho College Sept 11-13, 2026.

Visit inlandnwopera.org for information, volunteer opportunities and upcoming auditions.

The fabulous Junk2Funk is back for Lucky #13! 

We sat down with event MC Shannon Irwin and artist/model Brooke Wood for a lively chat about this wildly popular event happening Saturday, October 18.

Junk2Funk isn’t just a fashion show — it’s a “trashion” extravaganza! Every outfit on the runway is crafted from at least 80% recycled or repurposed materials. From plastic water bottles and used grocery bags to old CDs and whatever one might throw away, artists young and old turn literal garbage into high-fashion glory. 

Expect:
• Hilarious hosting from Shannon Irwin
• Show-stopping designs strutted down the catwalk
• A loaded, creative silent auction
• One unforgettable night supporting KEA, one of the area’s longest-running fundraisers

At the Eagles Ballroom - upstairs - a 209 Sherman in  Downtown Coeur d’Alene. Doors at 6pm, show starts at 7pm.

Get ready for an evening of art, imagination, and a fabulously trashy good time!

For tickets and details, visit keaalliance.org

It was such a treat to chat with Robby French, co-owner of Stylus, and Paul Irwin, vinyl DJ extraordinaire, about their upcoming event: WAXfest, happening Sunday, October 5, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

WAXfest will be the area’s very first record and vendor fair, transforming the Stylus parking lot at 2605 N 4th Street in Coeur d’Alene into a lively hub of music, community, and creativity. Guests can look forward to an eclectic mix of food and drinks, local record shops, live DJ sets, flash tattoos, and an array of independent vendors showcasing their work.

This is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of music culture and community spirit. We’re thrilled to see so many local businesses and creatives coming together to make WAXfest possible, and we can’t wait to share the experience with everyone.

For more information visit styluswineandvinylbar.com

Meet Holly Dolly—an internationally published pinup model with a sparkle in her step and a love for all things burlesque! She first leapt onto the stage in 2015 with a contemporary dance troupe in the Tri-Cities, and by 2019, she was dazzling audiences as an independent burlesque artist. These days, you’ll find her lighting up stages and producing glittering shows all across the Northwest.

So, what is burlesque? Think comedy, think theater, think fabulous costumes and storytelling with a wink. Modern burlesque is less about striptease alone and more about empowerment, artistry, and celebrating self-expression in its boldest, most glitter-filled form.

Holly shares with us her journey from dancer to producer, how burlesque has become a powerful tool for female empowerment, the joy (and mischief!) of teaching others the art, and what’s next on her jam-packed performance calendar.

Want more sparkle in your life? Catch up with Holly at hollydollyburlesque.com or follow her adventures on social media @hollydollyburlesque.

Library Foundation board members have revived a beloved idea from 20 years ago—a literary-themed calendar—but with a timely new twist: celebrating the Right to Read. Mary Sanderson, Bette Ammon, and Ruth Pratt discuss the role of the Foundation and why this fundraiser is so important to the preservation of the library, as well as process of producing the calendar.

The 16-month calendar highlights the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation’s dedication to protecting and defending intellectual freedom. Each month showcases a book that has been challenged over the years, paired with playful parodies featuring local community members, leaders, and celebrities. Thanks to the work of libraries and librarians, these titles remain available for “all kinds of books for all kinds of people.” The calendar begins September 2025.

Fun, creative, and meaningful, the Right to Read Calendar is available for $35 at The Well-Read Moose, the Second Story Bookstore inside the library, or online at cdalibrary.org/about/library-foundation.

Meet Jeni Riplinger, the visionary force behind Emerge Gallery in Downtown Coeur d’Alene—a vibrant hub where creativity comes alive. Emerge isn’t just a gallery, it’s a collective art experience that sparks imagination, connects community, and gives emerging artists the chance to shine. From hands-on classes to unforgettable community art events, Emerge is where inspiration takes root and grows.

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 1:00–7:00 PM, Emerge takes over 2nd Street for its most electrifying event of the year: the INK! Print Rally. Imagine giant wooden blocks—carved with breathtaking detail over weeks or even months—transformed into massive works of art using nothing less than an asphalt roller! Watch as local printmaking pros and passionate artists team up to bring bold, large-scale designs to life before your very eyes. This year’s thrilling theme: “Portals.”

NEW this year, the INK! Rally joins forces with the 33 Artists Market, where 20 incredible local makers will showcase their work in a lively vendor market. Together, it’s a one-of-a-kind celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community you won’t want to miss.

Emerge Gallery is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, and every second Friday you can dive into ARTWALK from 5:00–8:00 PM. Plus, with inspiring classes offered year-round, there’s always a new way to engage with the arts.

For the full lineup of opportunities, visit emergecda.com—and get ready to be inspired!

The team came together for an impromptu episode exploring the power of art, creativity, and the act of making. Inspired by Amie McNee’s TED Talk, “The Case for Making Art When the World Is on Fire,” they take on the idea that art is frivolous in hard times. McNee argues the opposite—creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. Art soothes, connects, and gives meaning. It heals bodies, minds, and communities. It’s also resistance, hope, and a legacy that endures long after us.

In this spirit, the team also reflects on nearly five years of conversations with remarkable creative people.

To listen to Amie's TED talk visit the TED talk page at YouTube

The Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) has been bringing the arts to life in Bonner County since 1978. For nearly five decades, this local nonprofit has inspired creativity, enriched education, and connected the community through unforgettable arts experiences.

Claire Christy, Arts Coordinator for the Pend Oreille Arts Council, invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of the arts with their highly anticipated 3-day Artist Studio Tour—Labor Day Weekend August 29–31, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Step inside the creative worlds of 20 talented artists as they open the doors to 16 unique studios across Sandpoint, Sagle, and the surrounding areas. From paintbrush to pottery wheel, canvas to carving tools, you’ll see art in action, hear the stories behind the work, and even have the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Artist Studio Tour is more than an event—it’s a celebration of North Idaho’s thriving arts community and an invitation to support the incredible talent in our own backyard.

Discover more about POAC’s wide variety of programs, classes, and events at ArtinSandpoint.org, and explore the full lineup of participating artists at artinsandpoint.org/artist-studio-tour.

Meet Captain David Kilmer, a man whose life has been transformed by the sea. An accomplished sailor and storyteller, David Kilmer's journey began when his father launched a little wooden boat for him, named Skipper-N-Dad. This early experience sparked a lifelong love for the sea, leading to his first bluewater passage at the age of 25, a transformative 2,300-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean.

By his early 30s, David Kilmer had already embarked on a life less ordinary. He ran off to the Caribbean, driven by a desire to become a boat captain, and spent five seasons working in the Grenadines. His book A Peril To Myself and Others is a vivid portrayal of those colorful and tumultuous times, a testament to the adventurous spirit that has always defined him.

His latest book, The Way of the Sailor, is a captivating set of seagoing essays, meditations, and small adventures that explores what it truly means to be a sailor, the challenges and joys of life at sea, and ultimately, how to better navigate life itself. His books often delve into themes of adventure, self-discovery, and the beauty of the open ocean.

From 2009 to 2019, David and his co-captain, Rebecca, cruised their 36-foot sailing sloop from Bellingham, Washington, to the Bahamas with stops in 12 countries, including Cuba and a transit of the Panama Canal along the route. Their journey was not just a personal adventure, but a testament to David's expertise and passion for sailing. David is the captain of the private sailing yacht Sizzler.

You can purchase David’s book on Amazon or Goodreads, or locally at the Well Read Moose or Mix it Up Home. Follow David on Instagam@captainkilmer or wayofthesailor.com

Amy D’Orazi brings joy into every room she enters. If you’ve seen her perform, you know she carries a rare blend of heart and innocence that’s hard to put into words. A singer, actress, painter, and writer, Amy grew up in the Inland Northwest, where her boundless creativity was nurtured from a young age and she was encouraged to take the stage.

After a long hiatus from theatre, Amy returned with remarkable energy and passion—landing one leading role after another. She’s lit up the stage as Inga in Young Frankenstein, Laurie in Oklahoma!, Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, and most recently as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.

In 2023, Amy received the Mayor’s Award of Excellence in the Arts—a testament to her talent and impact on the community. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she shared, “It's never too late to dream, never too late to take risks or try something new, and never too late to grow... To seek and take risks—that is what it means to be truly alive.”

She has performed with Aspire Community Theatre, and tonight she returns to the stage as Ilona in She Loves Me, presented by Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. This charming musical marks the final production of their summer season.

For tickets, visit cstidaho.com.