creative:impact

After several months hosting "creative:impact" solo, Deb Polich welcomes her co-host David Fair back to the show. And for the first time in two years, they are in the studio at their microphones. David and Deb catch up and look at upcoming changes for the show. Find out what next on this installment of "creative:impact."

A master of tulle, lace, and silk, Jan Lee is adept with scissors, thread, and a machine. She fashions bridal gowns to make them fit beautifully for hundreds of brides on their special day. You can find Jan working with brides at the Brides Project, a social enterprise that helps fight cancer through the purchase of gowns. Hear her story on this edition of "creative:impact" with host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Humor is the antidote for the world's imperfection. Amanda Uhle, publisher of McSweeney's and a freelance journalist, relies on her talent, plus a healthy dose of satire to tackle many of the most “untouchable” issues out there. She is also devoted to developing the voice of youth. Hear how she does it when she joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) knows that the rapidly changing U.S. economy requires investment in small business that specialize in creative industries. She is sponsoring the CREATE Act, with bipartisan support, to extend to services and programs afforded other sectors to artists, creative workers, and businesses. Hear the details when Mrs. Dingell joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Leading the Ann Arbor Symphony is on Sarah Calderini's 2022 agenda. We meet Sarah, the Symphony's newly-appointed executive director, and hear what's on her to-do list, as well as what gives her hope in the New Year when she joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

One person can make a difference! The Community Action Network (CAN) started its Art + Design program because one member of the community was concerned that many kids were missing out. Hear how a seed planted blossomed to now serve children in many of our neighborhoods, when CAN's director of education, Laura Amtower, joins host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw on this edition of "creative:impact."

Raucus, fun, and steeped in tradition, a panto is a theater tradition that has entertained generations of Brits during the holidays. Ryan Mackenzie-Lewis, co-author of Theatre Nova's production of "A Almost British Christmas" talks about the over-the-top characters and the slapstick comedy of this family-friendly holiday entertainment with "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

A semi-finalist for the 2022 Grammy Award for Music Educators, Yael Rothfeld, a music teacher at Ann Arbor's Thurston Elementary, believes she wins every day because she gets to the joys of music. Get ready to be inspired by her passion when she joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Who knew Ann Arbor had record labels? Jeremy Peters knows! He's the co-founder of Quite Scientific Records and former director of music publishing Ghostly International. Sample this crossover music professional who is also a singer, a professor of music business, and arts advocate when he jams with "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Being in the right place at the right time put photographer Doug Coombe in the best seats in the house. Since 1999, his camera has captured the music scene in southeast Michigan and documented media stories throughout the region. Get a view of Doug's world on this edition of "creative:impact" when he joins Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Director of Night Terrors Brandon Wiard stops by to take "creative:impact" listeners on a behind-the-scenes tour of Wiard Orchards Haunted Thrill Park. Discover what it takes to create a frightfully scary experience along with "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

A leading expert on cultural audience behavior, Alan Brown returns to "creative:impact" after his first appearance in April 2020 just weeks after COVID-19 shut down cultural venues. He announced then that he was launching the Audience Monitor Outlook, a study of COVID's impact on audiences and when they would comfortably return to cultural venues. He gives an update on his findings to "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Founded in 1911, the Zal Gaz Grotto is steeped in the history of masons wanting to cultivate sunny cheerfulness and indulgence in healthy merriment and joyful laughter. A simple building on West Stadium, it is a home for local jazz and rock bands and attracts an eclectic audience. Bob Hospardaruk is a master mason and serves as secretary of the club. He joins Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw on this edition of "creative:impact."

Sitting at the intersection of art and technology, local entrepreneur Don Hicks wondered how SaganWorks 3-D technology could make it possible for anyone to view the work of artists from anywhere. Being one to take action, he started the nonprofit CultureVerse to figure it out. Aubrey Martinson was enlisted as executive director, and she explains it all when she joins co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMUs David Fair on this edition of "creative:impact."

Ann Arbor's Stratøs (AKA Eddie Codrington)is reaching for the stars!A three-time winner of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award in 2019, 2020, and 2021, his flight plan was shaped by local music education programs, jazz artists, and events. He is releasing his first album "Planets" in October. Hear all about it when hejoins co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU's David Fair on this edition of "creative:impact."

Straight from Broadway, after roles in "Mamma Mia," "Bonnie and Clyde," "9 to 5," and "Les Misérables," Michigan native Dan Cooney wanted to put on his own show(s). He decided Dexter was the right place, and he opened The Encore Theatre. Hear his story when he joins Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU's David Fair on this edition of "creative:impact."

Since his student days as member of the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and at the University of Michigan bands, Dr. Eric Becher has excelled at taking the field, literally and figuratively, whether as the youngest ever director of the U-M Marching Bands or in his second career in fundraising and advancement. He Shared his journey with WEMU's David Fair and Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw on 'creative:impact.'

What we'd once hoped was going to be a short little dance number, COVID-19 has turned into a dance marathon. Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU's David Fair talk about the state of arts + creative industry, now 18 months into this pandemic, on this edition of "creative:impact."

Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit is creating change. Washtenaw County has joined communities across the world using art + creativity to detour youth away from the justice system. Eli talks about his office's decision to add preventative creative programs and its partnership with Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper and the Vera Institute of Justice on this "creative:impact" with show co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU's David Fair.

Meet Holli Andrews, the enthusiastic, talented director of Saline Main Street. A community booster second to none, she is salting downtown Saline with art to create lively local scenes. A visit to Saline is in your future after hearing Holli on this week's "creative:impact" with show co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU's David Fair.