creative:impact

It’s almost Halloween, and Stephen Warner wants to scare you – with music! As one of the Michigan Theater’s resident organists, he’ll be at the console of the great Barton Organ playing the score for the annual showing of the 1922 silent film classic "Nosferatu," the scariest vampire movie ever! Stephen is Deb Polich’s guest on this edition of "creative:impact." They talk about the connection between pipe organs, films and audiences.

Some creatives win at balancing their everyday life. Others might want more guidance. Abby Fanelli is a dot connector. She thrives on helping artists line up their creative goals with their life goals. Abby is Deb Polich’s guest on this edition of WEMU’s creative:impact. They talk about the work WAABEL, the company Abby co-founded, does to help writers and artists balancing everyday life.

They say it’s your birthday! The Neutral Zone, the organization envisioned as a youth-driven place for teens to gather, is 25 years old. The Zone's director, Lori Roddy, and youth leader, Sana Schaden join host Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact." With a glance back at Neutral Zone’s early days, they’ll bring us up to date on what is now a national model for teen gathering places and tell us about the birthday celebration.

Art, in all its forms, is a universal language. Sreyashi Dey’s company, Akshara, explores contemporary themes by bringing Indian myths to life through Indian dance and theater. Sreyashi joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." They chat about the new work she is premiering at the Rasa Festival, September 23.

Jason Stevens's company, Flutter & Wow Museum Projects, located in Ann Arbor, has designed exhibitions and displays for local museums, like the U-M Museum of Natural History and the Motown Museum, as well as museums in Kentucky, Georgia and elsewhere. Jason joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." They talk about what it takes to create captivating and exciting exhibitions.

Sandra Murchison is an artist and the director of Eastern Michigan University’s School of Art & Design. She recently set aside her art supplies and gladly picked up a shovel for the groundbreaking ceremony for EMU’s 3D Arts Complex. Sandra joins Deb Polich on "creative:impact" to talk about this exciting addition to the EMU campus expected to open in the fall of 2024.

The protagonist of Hilary Cohen’s first murder mystery, "A Turquoise Grave," is looking forward to a tropical getaway but instead finds herself trying to prove a man is innocent of murder. Hilary, widely known as the playwright for the famed Wild Swan Theater, has turned her talents to the written page. Hilary talks about how becoming a novelist seemed like the natural next step for her creative career on the next edition of "creative:impact" with Deb Polich.

For the second year in a row, giant billboard-sized artworks have sprouted in parks throughout Washtenaw County. "Embracing our Differences" is back in full bloom. Julie Brooks Malone and Chris Gant spend many days among the artwork greeting guests and telling them about the art on view. Students on tours, it seems, teach these docents as much in return. We find out what is shared when Julie and Chris join Deb Polich on this edition of "creative impact."

Balancing the obligations of life is still a constant challenge. It leads to many creative people setting something that gives them personal joy and fulfillment. "I’ll get back to it someday,” they say. Then, someday is forty or fifty years down the line. Marissa Conniff, a young business owner and mom, found her way back to her first creative love: singing. Find out how when Marissa joins Deb Polich, your host, on the next "creative:impact."

That’s the sound of a fireworks display bursting open on Independence Day at a park near you. Have you ever thought about the art of fireworks? How do you make those colors and staged explosions that thrill young and old this time of year? Join Deb Polich, your "creative:impact' host, to meet fireworks enthusiast Kevin Paterson to find out—just in time for the Fourth of July.

Joe Malcoun is an entrepreneur active in local politics and community development. He is also a music club owner. What drives him? As the owner of Ann Arbor’s storied Blind Pig, is he living out his teenage fantasy of “being in a band,” or is he a sly investor? Maybe he’s both! Find out when Joe joins Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact."

Our region was busy in the mid 1820s! Ann Arbor joins the City of Dexter in marking their bicentennials in 2024 following Ypsilanti’s 200th birthday this year. What does it take to plan a city celebration of such an occasion? Ann Arbor City Manager Milton Dohoney Jr. tells us when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact."