Ali & Callie Artcast

Ep 125: Monday Night Dinners in Coeur d'Alene

About 8 years ago, Adam Schluter found himself alone in Coeur d'Alene knowing no one. He put himself out there and invited people to his home for dinner as a way of getting to know each other. The first dinner, to his surprise, eleven people showed up. That first dinner paved the way for the Monday Night Dinners outdoors in Adam's back yard every other Monday in the good months of the year. It has grown to include dinner, music, drink and a great sense of community.

This past Monday, May 13, 2024, Adam did a huge kick off dinner in McEuen Park as a way to promote more commaraderie as well as host a fundraiser and awareness campaign for the Coeur d'Alene Library Foundation. Adam knows well the great value of our local libraries, and he got together with the Foundation to organize the event in the park, which included many local businesses - a winery, breweries, sweet shops, and more - to come together to provide a free night of commonality for all. Everyone brings a dish to share, so there is plenty of food... and what better way to commune with people than over food.

Our conversation includes Adam and his videographer Jack Wade from his project, Hello from a Stranger. We also had Jimmy, Joy, and Sarah join us to tell of their experiences with the dinners.

This was filmed outdoors in the park, so please excuse the occasional quality bumps.

For more information about the Monday Night Dinners visit the website at Monday Night Dinners, and while you are there, check out the Hello from a Stranger project (hellofromastranger.com)! You can also check out his story in season 1, episode 8 on the Ali & Callie website alicallieartcast.com

Ep 124: Elaina DeJong, Musician, actress, singer and songwriter

At only 25 years old, Elaina DeJong has already accomplished so much. She has written and recorded several of her original songs, and she has put together her own concert with openers and a full band to showcase her music. She learned to play the violin at four years old, caught the musical bug at age 15, and now holds a BA in Theatre from Eastern Washington University. She has appeared in many Coeur d’Alene and Spokane plays, musicals, commercials, films, and concerts. Since August 2023, she’s been one-half of the music duo The Kindreds who can be found playing around the Inland NW.

Elaina’s first song release, “City Park”, comes out in mid-May. The single anticipates her original concert debut, Montage Season, which will play on the Kroc Center stage in Coeur d’Alene on May 31.

Elaina is also one of five individuals who received the Jack Bannon Memorial Fund for the Arts for this year. A formal presentation of the checks will be made by Ellen Travolta on May 15 at the CDA Chamber Visitors Center in a nice reception for the awardees, family and friends.

For more information about Elaina, or tickets to her upcoming show, visit elainadejong.com/.

For more information about the Jack Bannon Memorial Fund for the Arts (managed by the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance) visit artsandculturecda.org/jack-bannon-fund-for-the-arts

Ep 123: Kathy Colton, Musician and Songwriter

Such a treat talking to Kathy Colton who has been playing around the area since the 80s. We hear about her music, her influences, and her band. And we really enjoyed the private concert featuring a couple of songs, one an original. You can find Kathy and the Reluctants around town during ArtWalk, at some of the local hangouts, and more. 

Check out where she will be and come see her. On Facebook you can find her at Kathy Colton and the Reluctants, or at Kathy Colton.

Ep 122: Gypsy, Aspire Community Theater production

This week we focus on Aspire Community Theater's upcoming show "Gypsy", a musical fable based on the real life memoirs of high-class stripper Gypsy Rose Lee that focuses on her mother, Rose, who was the ultimate show business mother. This episode features the girls who play Rose's daughters, Louise and Rose, played by Bridget Erb and Ashley Cleveland, Director Mark Jacobs, and on piano, Presley Dupuis. 

We are excited because Callie plays the lead role in this epic show with loads of memorable music ("Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Let Me Entertain You,") and a well written script that is bound to capture everyone.

For more information on the show and tickets, visit aspirecda.com. Use promo code "Callie" for discounts.

Ep 121: Beth Rich, photographer and owner of Mix It Up

Beth Rich is an amazing photographer. She says "Photography is the perfect way to carry "the beautiful" with us after we leave a place." And she carries the beautiful, having traveled all over the world. She was even invited to exhibit in China as one of many photographers in the Photo Beijing exhibit.

Beth also owns Mix It Up Home and Mix It Up Gift, two separate stores just a couple of blocks from each other in downtown Coeur d'Alene. 

To find out more about Beth's photography visit her Facebook page at Thrublueiisphotograpy

And for information about Mix It Up, visit mixituphomeandgift.com

Ep 120: Ali Koski, AHA Creative and Traveling Tees

What a delight to speak to the very talented and creative Ali Koski about her design business, her unique t-shirt business, her experience acting in the fun production of the Vagina Monologues earlier this spring, and her creative outlets, not to mention her conversations with Debbie, her new name for her brain.

ahacda.com and travelingt.com

Ep 119: Jeni Hegsted and Emerge

One of our favorite events in downtown Coeur d'Alene is Emerge's Ceramic Throwdown and Cup Frenzy during 2nd Friday ArtWalk on April 12. With such energy, potters come together to compete 2 at a time on the wheel, sometimes blindfolded, to show what they can create in about 5 minutes given certain parameters. And the cup frenzy part where you can go into a maze of handmade mugs created by local artists for $15, some of which could be worth upwards of $120! And the gallery exhibit featuring the works of many noted ceramic artists on display. The event is just fun, and Executive Director, Jeni Hegsted talks about how it came about and what the money raised is used for.

In addition, she talks about the goals for this year for Emerge, and other upcoming events, including the annual Block Party happening this year on July 12.

For information about Emerge, to get tickets to the VIP early entry to the cup frenzy, or to apply to have your work shown at the Block Party, or to check out their class schedule and other events, visit emergecda.com.

Ep 118: Rayelle Anderson, NIC Foundation Executive Director

The NIC Foundation was founded in 1977 to encourage private support of North Idaho College. Through contributions and prudent stewardship, Rayelle and her team invests in NIC students, programs, services, and special projects. 

Since 1977, over $16.9 million was awarded in student scholarships. Supporting NIC Employee excellence, they have raised over $1.5 million for 376 grants through the NIC Foundation Grant Program to enhance educational excellence and over $235,000 for the NIC Employee Service Award Program to recognize employee excellence. In addition, they have raised over $16.5 million in support of NIC capital projects, land acquisition, technology, and equipment for projects including Ft. Sherman Officers’ Quarters, Molstead Library, Workforce Training Center, Children’s Center expansion, Meyer Health and Sciences Building, and the Parker Technical Education Center.

The Really Big Raffle, now in its 31st year, is the foundation's main fundraiser. Tickets are $150 each with only 5000 sold, with the grand prize being a $563,000 home in Coeur d'Alene Place. For more information on the raffle visit nic.edu.org/rbr.

For more information about the Foundation, visit nic.edu/foundation.

Ep 117: Kathy Gale, local artist

Painting since 2008, Kathy Gale's work leans heavily toward impressionism with a strong abstract quality. Her current pieces are rooted in the landscape and inspired by the photos she takes while traveling throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.

In 2013, Kathy, joined by local artist Teresa McHugh, started the CDA Artists' Studio Tour. It continues to grow yearly, with the ongoing support of The CDA Arts and Cultural Alliance.

For Kathy, the practice of making art is not a solitary endeavor. Though actual paint time is secluded, her life is truly sustained by the love of family and friends, which no painting on earth can replicate.

To view Kathy's unique style of art, visit her website at kathygale.com or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

Ep 116: Linda Coppess, CDA Chamber

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.