Spectrum West With Al Ross

Contributor Dean Kallenbach talks with the winner of the Women's World Horseshoe Pitching Championship which just took place in Monroe, La., Sarah Chaffee, a 15-year-old from Chippewa Falls.

Al Ross walks us through an exhibit of pieces by Patricia Mayhew-Hamm at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls with the artist herself. The pieces span her 60-year career.

Al Ross welcomes musician Emily Watkins to talk about her various groups, videos and career.

Al Ross welcomes Pablo Center at the Confluence Executive Director Jason Jon Anderson to discuss the arts venue's upcoming 5 th season.

Al Ross hosts a special episode of “Spectrum West” honoring the life of Chippewa Valley native Judy Henske, a worldwide renowned folk, blues and jazz singer, who passed away on April 27. Ross also interviews musician Don McClean, whose classic hit American Pie was recorded on May 26, 1971, in New York City.

Al Ross talks to Lucas Chase, executive director of The Mabel Tainter theater in Menomonie, about their second annual Mabel's Community Celebration. The event takes place on May 21, with refreshments and performances, including Chris Kroeze and his band.

Al Ross welcomes Eau Claire native Joe Peterangelo, senior researcher at The Wisconsin Policy Forum, to talk about the state of Wisconsin's arts and culture sectors now recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al Ross welcomes Becca Coleman of the Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation, organizer of Take the Mic! Cover Song Competition, one of the events at River Prairie Fest on May 6 at River Prairie Park in Altoona.

Al Ross welcomes University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire alum and master percussionist David Whitman to talk about his new album “Oh, Hugo!” he recorded recently with Chippewa Valley musicians Geoffrey Keezer and Andrew Neesley.

Al Ross welcomes Quentin Volk, executive director of Eau Claire Jazz Inc., to talk about the 56th Annual Eau Claire Jazz Festival which takes place Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23. Events include the popular Jazz Crawl throughout downtown Eau Claire, student sessions, master classes, and concerts featuring the UW-Eau Claire jazz band and high school and college honor bands. Special guests at the festival are Singer Diane Schuur and Saxophonist Donny McCaslin.

Al Ross welcomes Daniel Ruefman, author and professor of Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Ruefman has written a new book “What the Fuzz? Survival Stories of a Minor League Mascot” about his stints dressing as mascots for restaurants and sports teams.

Host Al Ross welcomes Bruce Qualey, bassist of the Truegrass Trio, for a conversation about the return of Fiddle Fest on April 2 in Seeley, Wis. Now renamed Fiddle Fest For Tom and repurposed as a fundraiser for Tom Draughon, a member of the Truegrass Trio, to help cope with medical expenses following his recent stroke. Also on the show this week… The rebirth of the Somerset Library with its director Kristina Kelley-Johnson. UW-Eau Claire senior Samuel Stein shares a glimpse into his anything but idle world of applied mathematics and music composition. UW-River Falls' Kathy Welch guides us through the seedy underground nightclub culture of late 20's and early 30's Berlin with their theater department's production of Cabaret.

Host Al Ross talks with Alma, Wi. musician Mac Cherry about his new release collaboration with Brad Steine, "The Way Out." Altoona High School students Jess Davis and Jay Foris-Potter talk about their recent wins at the state Poetry Out Loaud competition. "Sarah Pain and Tall" is St. Croix Falls Festival Theatre's return to live theater performance. Director Megan Hanks talks about the play and the expereince of the theatre's return. Ornithlogist Steve Bechtol gives us sneak peek at eh upcoming four-week course "Backyard Birding for Beginners."

In a special year-end episode of ‘Spectrum West' looks back at the old year and ahead to the new through the eyes and voices of eight western Wisconsin artists. Host Al Ross shares a brief conversation with each, discovering how 2021 impacted their lives and work, and how they view the opportunities and challenges of the year ahead.

Christmas Show, Library Events, Land Conservancy- This week on ‘Spectrum West' Al Ross welcomes singer/songwriter Steve March-Tormé to the show in anticipation of his upcoming appearance at Eau Claire's Pablo Center at the Confluence this weekend. Ross also visits two local libraries to learn about their exhibits and programs; and lastly, highlights a fun outdoor event by a regional non-profit that helps locals conserve their land.

Charlie Berens, Eau Claire Authors, North High School Music Teachers– This week on ‘Spectrum West, Al Ross welcomes comedian Charlie Berens to the show. Ross also talks with local writers Cathy Sultan and B.J. Hollars and local North High School music teachers Catherine Lofy and Jacob Puccio.

Holiday Musical Performances and Student Mental Health– This week on ‘Spectrum West' host Al Ross welcomes the directors and conductors of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, The Master Singers and the University of Wisconsin Jazz Ensembles to preview the many holiday concerts taking place across Eau Claire this month. Ross will also be talking to the director of counseling services at UW-Eau Claire about student mental health.

Eau Claire Bar, Kubb Championship, Star Wars Exhibit, Chippewa Falls Arts Venue.– This week on ‘Spectrum West' host Al Ross welcomes Dave Pieterick of Ray's Place Bar, located on Water Street in Eau Claire. The show also features an interview about the U.S. National Kubb Championship, a new exhibit at The Chippewa Valley Museum about Star Wars and the current and upcoming seasons at the Heyde Center of the Arts in Chippewa Falls.

Violin Soloist, Special Choir, Guitarist/Songwriter and Justice Radio Show- This week on ‘Spectrum West' host Al Ross welcomes violinist Eunice Kim, who will be making a guest appearance with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra on Nov. 20 at the Pablo Center at the Confluence. The show also features interviews with a choir director, a songwriter/guitarist and the director of a social justice radio show.

Theater Event, Library Organization, Fundraising Gala, Symphony Performance– Host Al Ross talks with directors of two Rice Lake theater groups participating in a worldwide event on “Spectrum West.” The show also features interviews about a library system organization, a non-profit fundraising gala, both in Eau Claire, and a Rice Lake Symphony performance after a long pandemic break.

Jazz School, Dance Ccompany, Jazz Orchestra, String Quartet– Robert Baca, head of Jazz Studies at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, joins host Al Ross for a “Spectrum West” tribute to the late Dominic Spera and Ron Keezer, his forerunners who built the program. Also on Spectrum West: Emily Emerson of e Dance Company, Geoff Peterson of the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra and Cellist Rebecca Arons, a member of Four Voices String Quartet.

Singer/Songwriter, Book Festival, Local Artists– Singer/Songwriter Judy Henske (pictured,) a Chippewa Falls native, speaks with host Al Ross about her long career on “Spectrum West.” The show also features details about the upcoming Chippewa Valley book festival and a talk with artists Jo Ellen Burk and Terry Meyer

Musicians, Cooks and Commedia Dell'Artés- Western Wisconsin musicians Greg Gilbertson and Yata Peinovich join host Al Ross in conversations about new music, poetry and performing on “Spectrum West." Ross also welcomes Kevin Brown, instructor of culinary arts and management at Chippewa Valley Technical College, to talk about the school's menu of choices. Rounding out the program, Doug Berky, a performer of commedia dell'arté; physical comedy, mime, clowning and storytelling, who will be at Heyde Center for the Arts Chippewa Falls this weekend, joins the program to preview his show.

Eau Claire Author, Community Theater, Art Tour, Organ Recital– Host Al Ross welcomes Eau Claire author and University of Wisconsin English Professor B.J. Hollars back to “Spectrum West.” Ross also interviews the director of a new play in Spring Valley, a participating artist in the Pierce and Pepin Counties Fall Fresh Art Tour, and an Eau Claire organist holding a concert on the UW-Eau Claire campus this upcoming weekend.

Neighborhood Bar, Local Choir, Arts Venue- Host Al Ross visits Eau Claire's The Joynt to chat with its proprietor this week on “Spectrum West.” Ross will also visit with the director of Eau Claire's The Master Singers and a spokesperson from Widespot Performing Arts Center in Stockholm.

Comedy, Symphony and Book of Essays– Comedian J. P. Fry joins host Al Ross to share his journey back to Eau Claire and explore the regional comedy scene on “Spectrum West.” Ross also welcomes Cullen Ryan of Clearwater Comedy, Nobu Yasuda, conductor of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra and Joshua Potter-Efron, co-editor of a book of pandemic experience essays.

Hyprov, Musician, Art Crawl- A new audience participatory phenom called Hyprov is explored on “Spectrum West.” Host Al Ross also talks with musician and Wausau native John McCutcheon on the show and artist Jean Arneson about an art crawl through Cadott, Boyd and east of Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls.

Chamber Orchestra, Arts Celebrations, Writing Contest Winners- Guest artist of the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra pianist Sean Chen joins host Al Ross on “Spectrum West.” The show also previews an upcoming week-long celebration of the arts economy of Eau Claire which ends in a large event at Artisan Forge on Sept. 18. Ross will also be talking with two local winners in an annual Wisconsin writing contest.

Paula Poundstone, Musical Review, Symphony Season and Theatre Guild- Comedian Paula Poundstone returns to “Spectrum West.” The show also features interviews with a Chippewa Falls musician, the director of a Rice Lake symphony orchestra and the executive director of an Eau Claire theatre guild.

Authors and Artists- Chippewa Falls based Jeannie E. Roberts returns to “Spectrum West.” The show also features a visit to Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire, details about a returning film festival in Menomonie, and the first year of a local young artists academy.

Big Top Chautauqua– Host Al Ross will talk about exciting events during the 2021 season of Big Top Chautauqua with two guests on “Spectrum West.” The show also features interviews with the new owner of an Eau Claire gallery, the proprietor of a historic ballroom and a memorial to an Eau Claire musician.

Folk Musician and Author, Fantasy Author, Folk Music Exhibit and Arts Center Updates- Eau Claire native folk singer/songwriter Billy Krause returns to “Spectrum West.” This week also features interviews with a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduate and author of fantasy books, a preview about a new exhibit at Eau Claire's Chippewa Valley Museum and highlights of the many new happenings at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson.

Live Arts- Easing pandemic restrictions bring back live arts events, several of which are discussed on “Spectrum West."

Singer-Songwriter Sage Leary visits host Al Ross on “Spectrum West.” The show also features interviews about the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Shell Lake Arts Center.

Blues Musician, Sculptur and Authors- Chippewa Falls based blues musician Howard “Guitar” Luedtke visits “Spectrum West.” The show also features interviews with a sculptor from Nelson and two authors, one from Chippewa Falls and the other from Eau Claire.

New Album, Hiking Guidebook, Theater Season, Social Justice- Musician and Sheboygan native Chris Richards previews his new album on “Spectrum West.” The show also features an interview with a Wisconsin author of hiking guidebooks, a preview of a Chippewa Falls new theater season and a talk with the head of a new social justice project in Eau Claire.

Creative Economy Month, Sculpture, Arts Tour, Poetry- The Creative Economy is the focus of this week’s edition of “Spectrum West.” There will also be interviews about a new sculpture to be installed in Eau Claire and an upcoming arts tour in the area, and with two western Wisconsin poets.

Jazz, Poetry, Special Guest and Book Review- Director and Head of Jazz Studies at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Robert Baca joins host Al Ross on “Spectrum West.” The show also includes interviews with a former Eau Claire Poet Laureate, a retired WPR show host and a book review by returning correspondent Jim Oliver.

National Poetry Month, New Album, Choir Performance, Library Renovations- Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire English professor Max Garland stops by to celebrate April’s National Poetry Month festivities with host Al Ross at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 15 on “Spectrum West.” The show also features interviews about a new album by a Wisconsin-based musician, a virtual concert by an Eau Claire choir and an update on renovations to the Eau Claire public library.

Musician, Reporter, Annual Ball, and Pandemic Reflections- Pianist and Eau Claire native Geoffrey Keezer and Washington Post correspondent Phil Rucker are on "Spectrum West."

Motorcycling- Motorcycle magazine writer and editor Ron Davis, of Eau Claire, and motorcycle promoter Darrell Brotan are on "Spectrum West."

Pickleball, Magazine, Folk Event And New Album Release - Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club President Judy Mirr discusses the rapidly growing sport on "Spectrum West." The show also features interviews with the editor of a local newspaper, a virtual folk event and a new folk-electronic album coming out from a Mondovi-based duo.