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Spectrum West with host Al Ross is a weekly live program exploring the music, arts and humanities in western Wisconsin. It includes in-depth and behind-the-scenes interviews and stories about area writers, musicians, theater, visual artists and much more. It keeps its listeners informed about changes, developments, growth and legislation that affect not only the arts, but its patrons.

Each week, Spectrum West pursues its mission of explaining to people of all ages and communities of all sizes why the arts are important.

The program, which made its debut in 1994, received a Community Arts Development Award by the Wisconsin Assembly of Local Arts in 2001. In 1998, Spectrum West and Wisconsin Public Radio were given a Tributary Award by the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council for Excellence in Service to the Arts by a Business or Organization.

Listen to Spectrum West on Fridays at 5pm on WHWC-FM 88.3 Menomonie-Eau Claire.

View the Spectrum West Events Calendar.

Want to contact us? Email: alan.ross@wpr.org or call 715-839-3868

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Spectrum West for May 17, 2013 May 17, 2013 Chippewa Falls poet Jeannie Roberts to talk about her new book "Nature of It All." Other topics include what's on stage at the Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre in Eau Claire, Wisconsin's food culture and a look ahead to the Spectrum West calendar Play MP3 Download   53:02   (Entire Program) Matt "Kerosene" Carter Menomonie Blue Caps Vintage Baseball Club team manager talks with Ross about their upcoming season Play MP3 Download Ron Faiola Documentary filmmaker and now author Ron Faiola talks with Ross about his film made into a book "Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience" Play MP3 Download Mike Fischer Mike Fischer of the Chippewa Valley Blues Society talks to Ross about the fifth season of Tuesday Night Blues Play MP3 Download Don Hodgins Executive director of the Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre joins Ross to preview the comedy, "Don't Dress for Dinner" Play MP3 Download Jeannie Roberts Chippewa Falls poet Jeannie Roberts joins Ross to preview her book "Nature of It All" and talk about her experience in the western Wisconsin arts community Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for May 10, 2013 May 10, 2013 "Kay Dawson Retrospective: Her Life in Art," "Burleigh Grimes: Baseball's Last Legal Spitballer," the annual Beaver Creek Reserve photo contest, a collaborative spring concert event and the Creative Drive Art Tour are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   52:55   (Entire Program) Kay Dawson Retrospective: Her Life in Art - Curator David Caradori Host Al Ross welcomes David Caradori, ceramic artist and curator of "Kay Dawson Retrospective: Her Life in Art." Kay Dawson was a long-time resident of the Eau Claire area whose still life paintings and drawings have been shown throughout the Midwest. Play MP3 Download Joe Niese Jim Oliver interviews Joe Niese, author of "Burleigh Grimes: Baseball's Last Legal Spitballer." Niese is a librarian in Chippewa Falls and a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. Play MP3 Download Lynn Barrie Lynn Barrie, from Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek, talks about the annual photo contest. The nature photography contest categories include mammals, birds, dynamics of nature, landscapes and more. Play MP3 Download John Onkka Potter John Onkka previews the annual Creative Drive Art Tour coming to four locations in western Wisconsin featuring over 60 artists. Play MP3 Download Gordon Murphy Gordon Murphy is the executive director of the Chippewa Valley Symphony. Murphy and the Symphony presented, "Ode to Joy," a collaborative music event featuring The Master Singers and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Concert Choir, performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Murphy joined the show to preview the concert. Play MP3 Download Gordon Murphy, part 2 Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for May 3, 2013 May 03, 2013 The Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, the Eau Claire Children's Theatre's production of "Next to Normal," spring art tours and a Japanese garden celebration are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   52:56   (Entire Program) David Demattia Artist David Demattia previews the annual "Earth Arts" spring art tour. "Earth Arts" features 27 different stops and more than 40 artists in the upper St. Croix Valley. Play MP3 Download Lee Friederich Lee Friederich, event coordinator and associate lecturer at the University of Wisconsin - Barron County, will share the details about "The Friendship Garden Festival: An Evening of Music and Japanese Food." The event celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Japanese garden on the UW-Barron County campus in Rice Lake. Play MP3 Download Wayne Marek Special correspondent Jim Oliver talks with Wayne Marek, executive director of the Eau Claire Children's Theatre. Marek features the ECCT's presentation of "Next to Normal." Play MP3 Download Johannes Strohschank Host Al Ross welcomes Johannes Strohschank, a German language expert and presenter at the 2013 Friends of the Max Kade Institute Annual Meeting and Dinner. The Institute supports scholarly research, documentation and outreach of German-American history, culture and language. The event included a tour of the Chippewa Valley Museum, presentations by local German heritage specialists and a German banquet. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for April 26, 2013 April 26, 2013 Comedian Lisa Lampanelli, The Jones Tones album release, the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra's concert "Two Symphonies and a Double Concerto," a preview of arts and culture events in the St. Croix Valley and the annual Classical Piano Festival in Shell Lake are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   52:54   (Entire Program) Dr. David Jones Dr. David Jones, a professor of English and Women's Studies and member of The Jones Tones, discusses The Jones Tones' newest album release. Play MP3 Download Lisa Lampanelli Stand-up and insult comedian Lisa Lampanelli talks about her appearance at the State Theatre in Eau Claire on May 10. She is noted for her racy and controversial style of comedy, which frequently includes subjects such as race and homosexuality. Play MP3 Download Ivar Lunde Jr. Ivar Lunde, Jr., music director for the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, previews the final concert of the 2012-2013 season, "Two Symphonies and a Double Concerto." The program features Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 23 in D Major, George Frideric Handel's Concerto Grosso and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for April 19, 2013 April 19, 2013 Marilyn Nelson, winner of the Frost Medal from the Poetry Society of America; the University of Wisconsin - River Falls' Wyman Series presentation of "What's your Tree? Believe in your Dreams and your Power to Change the World,"; the Menomonie Theater Guild's production of "Our Town"; and the Eau Claire Male Chorus' upcoming concert, "The Big Sing" are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   53:34   (Entire Program) Julia Butterfly Hill Julia Butterfly Hill is a keynote speaker for the UW-River Falls Wyman Series' presentation of "What's your Tree? Believe in your Dreams and your Power to Change the World." Hill talks with Ross about her experience living in the canopy of a California Redwood. She also discusses her book "The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods." Play MP3 Download Robert Wierman Robert Wierman previews the Eau Claire Male Chorus' "The Big Sing," featuring over 300 male singers in individual and combined choruses from across the Midwest and special guests the UW-Eau Claire Singing Statesmen. Play MP3 Download Susan Weston Susan Weston, the director of the Menomonie Theater Guild's production of "Our Town" talks about the upcoming show. Play MP3 Download Marilyn Nelson Host Al Ross talks with Marilyn Nelson, winner of the Frost Medal from the Poetry Society of America for "distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry." Nelson will read some of her work during the annual "Chippewa Valley Reads" event in the Woodland Theater in the W.R. Davies Student Center at the UW-Eau Claire on April 23. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for April 12, 2013 April 12, 2013 "In a New Light," a program encouraging photographic self-expression, the University of Wisconsin-Stout's annual "Fashion without Fabric" event, the book "Powerful Ideas in Teaching: Creating Environments in which Students want to Learn," and the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild's production of "Urinetown" are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   52:57   (Entire Program) Ben Thwaits Ben Thwaits, the Expressive Arts Coordinator for Northwest Passage, a residential mental health treatment center in Frederic discusses "In a New Light." The program aims to empower troubled teenagers, encouraging teenagers to engage in photographic journeys of self-expression. Play MP3 Download Katie Thoma UW-Stout senior Katie Thoma is the director of the annual "Fashion without Fabric" fashion show. The presentation will showcase fashions designed by students from the University and made from a variety of non-traditional materials such as garbage bags, cardboard and vinyl records. Play MP3 Download Keith Lorasch Special correspondent Jim Oliver welcomes Keith Lorasch, the director of the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild's production of "Urinetown." Play MP3 Download Dr. Mickey Kolis Dr. Mickey Kolis, associate professor of education studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, discusses his latest book, "Powerful Ideas in Teaching: Creating Environments in Which Students Want to Learn." Co-authored with Emily Bright Krusack, the book is meant to serve as a classroom guidebook featuring ideas and advice from teachers. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for April 5, 2013 April 05, 2013 "In Spite of Ourselves: An Evening of John Prine Music" at the Little Grand Theater, AcoustiHoo's new album release, the Phipps Center for the Arts production of "The O'Conner Girls," and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls production of "Ancient Wings: A Crane's Story" are featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   50:08   (Entire Program) Derick Black Derick Black is a performer in the Grand Theater's presentation of "In Spite of Ourselves: An Evening of John Prine Music". Black previews the concert which consists of a melting pot of vocalists and musicians. Play MP3 Download AcoustiHoo Sue Orfield and AcoustiHoo members discuss the release of their new album. Play MP3 Download Sally Childs Sally Childs is the director of the Phipps Center for the Arts production of "The O'Conner Girls," which runs April 4-21. Play MP3 Download Robin Murray Robin Murray, a professor of theatre arts and co-chair of communication studies at the UW-River Falls, joins the show to discuss the upcoming production of "Ancient Wings: A Crane's Story." The production involves puppetry, dance and scenic productions. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for March 29, 2013 March 29, 2013 Al Ross welcomes Wisconsin mandolinist Jesse Cobb, photojournalist John Noltner, Blaine Halverson from the Menomonie Theater Guild and Pamela Fuchs from the Festival Theatre in Eau Claire. Play MP3 Download   52:04   (Entire Program) John Noltner John Noltner, a Minneapolis-based photojournalist, discusses the growth of the "A Peace of my Mind" photographic documentary project that he founded in 2009. The project has blossomed into a multi-platform experience including a traveling exhibit, website, podcasts and a book. Play MP3 Download Pamela Fuchs Special correspondent Jim Oliver welcomes Pamela Fuchs from the Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls. Fuchs will discuss the upcoming season, including the theater's production of "Rounding Third," a two-man show about two fathers who coach their sons in little league baseball. Play MP3 Download Blaine Halverson Blaine Halverson, the director of the Menomonie Theater Guild, previews opportunities offered to students in grades 1-12 through the Red Cedar Youth Stage. Activities include camp programs, theater productions and classes that begin in April and run through the end of July. Play MP3 Download Jesse Cobb Jesse Cobb is one-half of a bluegrass duo also featuring his brother Shad Cobb. Jesse Cobb is a mandolin player who burst onto the music scene in the 1990s as part of the Cobb Brothers Band. The brothers are from Dairyland, a small town at the northernmost tip of Wisconsin. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for March 22, 2013 March 22, 2013 Chippewa Falls native Robert 'One Man' Johnson, Amber Dernbach, an English teacher and improv mentor at Memorial High School and Lynn Jaskowiak, a self-taught chef joined this edition of Spectrum West. Also, special correspondent Jim Oliver welcomes local author of "One Came Home," Amy Timberlake. Play MP3 Download   51:49   (Entire Program) Robert 'One Man' Johnson Robert 'One Man' Johnson is a Wisconsin native and UW-Eau Claire graduate turned one-man show. Johnson performs classic and original blues and ragtime hits with his voice, harmonica, guitar, hi-hat cymbal and foot piano simultaneously. Play MP3 Download Amber Dernbach Amber Dernbach is an English teacher at Memorial High Schooland coaches school's improv program. As a mentor for the program, Dernbach sees first-hand the benefits that improv can have on young minds and how it can give students future advantages. Play MP3 Download Lynn Jaskowiak Jaskowiak is a self-taught chef and talked about her involvement in the culinary arts. Jaskowiak uses her natural curiosity about food and cooking to discover the why and how of cooking. Jaskowiak also blends her own teas and spices. Play MP3 Download Amy Timberlake Special correspondent Jim Oliver welcomed local author Amy Timberlake to discuss her young adult novel, "One Came Home." The novel is set in 1871 in Wisconsin. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for March 15, 2013 March 15, 2013 Public libraries in an electronic era, the original theater production of "Procula's Vision" at the State Theatre in Eau Claire, local folk musician Sue West's new album release and the 6th Annual WHYS St. Patrick's Shortest Sidewalk Parade and Fundraiser are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   52:11   (Entire Program) John Stoneberg John Stoneberg is the Director of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. He talks with Ross about the challenges faced by L.E. Phillips Library and others like it as they struggle with large publishing organizations to gain access to electronic books and files. Stoneberg talk about the history of the conflict, its effect on public library patrons and what can be done to fix the problem. Play MP3 Download John Stoneberg, Part 2 Play MP3 Download Sue West Mantell-basd folk musician Sue West joins the Ross to talk about the release of her new album, "Words of a Friend." The album was released at West's March 17 performance at Rush River Lutheran Church in River Falls. West also shares a sample of her music with the program. Play MP3 Download Michael Van Hemert Community Arts is a group of performers devoted to bringing quality musicals, comedy, and drama to the Eau Claire area. Its most recent original production, "Procula's Vision," run at the State Theatre in March. Michael Van Hemert, a cast member, talks with special correspondent Jim Oliver Play MP3 Download Ben Johnson Ben Johnson, a community radio volunteer at WHYS 96.3 FM, talks with Ross about the 6th Annual St. Patrick's Shortest Sidewalk Parade and Fundraiser, benefiting WHYS 96.3 FM - the Chippewa Valley's only volunteer-run radio station. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for March 8, 2013 March 08, 2013 Spectrum West features the music performance scene in western Wisconsin on this week's edition. Al Ross welcomes Lucy Kaplansky from the folk trio Red Horse, singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Metsa and musical playwright Jerry Way. Special correspondent Jim Oliver previews "What's On Stage" in western Wisconsin and talks with Steve Demars, the director of the Barron Spotlighters' production of "Singing in the Rain." Play MP3 Download   52:53   (Entire Program) Jerry Way Jerry Way is a musical playwright and his newest work, a musical comedy, "Wheeler Dealers" opens on March 14 at the Heyde Center for the Arts. Wheeler is a retired music educator from Chippewa Falls. Play MP3 Download Paul Metsa Paul Metsa is a Minnesota-based singer/songwriter/guitarist who recently released his newest album, "Blues, Ballads and Broadsides: Songs from the Blue Guitar Highway." Play MP3 Download Paul Metsa, Part 2 Play MP3 Download Steve Demars Jim Oliver talks with Steve Demars, the director of the Barron Spotlighters' production of "Singing in the Rain." Play MP3 Download Lucy Kaplansky Lucy Kaplansky is one-third of the folk trio, Red Horse. She is well known for her work collaborating with folk artists across the country, as well as her solo career. Kaplansky and fellow Red Horse members Eliza Gilkyson and John Gorka visited the Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls on March 8. Play MP3 Download Lucy Kaplansky, Part 2 Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for March 1, 2013 March 01, 2013 Lasagna gardening, the Old Gem Theater in New Richmond, Noah Hoehn, Red Horse folk trio and Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest are all featured on this edition of Spectrum West with Al Ross and special correspondent Jim Oliver. Play MP3 Download   52:59   (Entire Program) Roger Reynolds Roger Reynolds is the owner of Infiltrating Landscapes Consulting. Reynolds speaks on the topic of lasagna gardening, an organic-technique used to enrich garden soil by layering compost and other nutrient-rich and decomposable materials. Play MP3 Download Noah Hoehn Noah Hoehn's is known for his wide performance repertoire of harmonica, vocals, marimba and live audio looping, while blending the sounds of new blues and marimba pop. Play MP3 Download Kathy Welch Kathy Welch, the artistic director for the Old Gem Theater in New Richmond,discusses the theater's presentation of "I Never Saw Another Butterfly," a one-act play which follows Raja, one of the children who survived in a WWII nazi concentration camp. Play MP3 Download Georgia Parham Georgia Parham from the Department of Natural Resources talks about the Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest, sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for February 22, 2013 February 22, 2013 The Library of Congress' "National Recording Preservation Plan," L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library's annual "ArtsWest" exhibit in Eau Claire, "The Pirates of Penzance" at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts and "Art in the Airport at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Play MP3 Download   26:38   (Entire Program) Patrick Loughney Patrick Loughney, the executive director of the Library of Congress' National Audio Visual Conservation Center, discusses the National Recording Preservation Plan. The plan is designed to help preserve and archive recorded content on a national level and to minimize loss of documented history and make the records more accessible. Play MP3 Download James Boyd Brent James Boyd Brent, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota College of Design, also joins the show. Brent recently served as juror for the annual "ArtsWest" exhibit at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire. Brent selected the sixty-one pieces of work by fifty-six artists that will be on display at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. Play MP3 Download Pinckney and Susan Hall; Audric Buhr Jim Oliver talks with Pinckney and Susan Hall and Audric Buhr - 3 cast members int eh Menomonie Theater Guild's production of "The Pirates of Penzance" at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. Play MP3 Download Claude Schilling Claude Schilling, a photographer, discusses the photography and mixed-media art displayed at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. The "Art in the Airport" displays are organized by Schilling with partner, Lloyd Fleig and feature local artists. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for February 15, 2013 February 15, 2013 WPR's Karl Schmidt, UW-Barron County's "Red Cedar Review", the "We Challenge U" blood drive campaign by the American Red Cross and a preview of upcoming regional theater productions are all featured on this week's Spectrum West. Play MP3 Download   33:19   (Entire Program) Karl Schmidt Long-time WPR personality and founding board member of NPR, Karl Schmidt talks with Ross about his long life on- and off-air. Schmidt is well known for his contributions to the internationally acclaimed radio drama series "EARPLAY" and his readings on the daily program "Chapter a Day." Play MP3 Download Karl Schmidt, part 2 Part 2 of Al Ross' conversation with Karl Schmidt Play MP3 Download Corey Benjamin Corey Benjamin, a program manager with 'The American Red Cross' "We Challenge U" blood drive, talks with Ross about the student-focused campaign which visited university campuses in February./ Play MP3 Download Die Fledermaus Special correspondent Jim Oliver presents "What's On-Stage in Western Wisconsin," previewing "Die Fledermaus," an operetta production of UWEC Theatre. Play MP3 Download Joel Friederich Joel Friederich, an assistant professor of English at UW-Barron County, discusses the University's annual journal of arts and literature, "Red Cedar." Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for February 8, 2013 February 08, 2013 This week featured conversations with Gordon Murphy, the executive director of CVSO, Ken Parejko, the author of "Across the Waters of Time: Pliny Remembered," and author Bruce White, one of the speakers scheduled to appear as a part of the 2013 Riverway Speaker Series. Play MP3 Download   33:50   (Entire Program) Gordon Murphy A chat with the executive director of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra to talk about its concert "Nachito Herrera Plays Gershwin," featuring Nachito Herrera, a Grammy-nominated pianist. Play MP3 Download Jim Parejko Special correspondent Jim Oliver's talk with Ken Parejko, author of "Across the Waters of Time: Pliny Remembered." The historical novel follows Pliny the Elder through Ancient Roman history. Play MP3 Download Bruce Taylor Ross talks with Eau Claire Poet Laureate Bruce Taylor. Play MP3 Download Bruce White Bruce White talks with Ross about the 2013 Riverway Speaker Series, where he was a featured speaker on the topic of the Dakota and Ojibwe history of the St. Croix Valley. White is an anthropologist, author and historian. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for February 1, 2013 February 01, 2013 Dr. April Bleske-Rechek a faculty member of the psychology department at UW-Eau Claire; Ann Sessions executive director of the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild; Marisa Cordeiro mestra of Gingarte Capoeira a Chicago-based African-Brazilian performance ensemble, and a preview of the 2013 Fiber Arts Festival and Banbury Art Crawl. Play MP3 Download   33:05   (Entire Program) Marisa Cordeiro Cordeiro is the mestra of the Chicago-based performance group Gingarte Capoeira. Cordeiro and troupe performed at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls. "Capoeira" is an African-Brazilian style of dance based on an self-defense and martial arts. It was developed by enslaved Africans almost 500 years ago. Play MP3 Download Karen Jacobson Jacobson, an educator at the Chippewa Valley Museum, talks about the annual Fiber Arts Festival in Eau Claire. Play MP3 Download Jo Ellen Burke Burke talks about the 4th Annual Banbury Art Crawl in Eau Claire, which showcases creative artists and vendors, including painting, ceramics, stained glass, mixed media, textiles, wine tasting, tasty treats and music. Play MP3 Download Ann Session The Executive Director of the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild talks with special correspondent Jim Oliver about the CVTG performance season and is production of "They're Playing Our Song." Play MP3 Download Dr. April Bleske-Rechek Bleske-Rechek is a faculty member in the psychology department at UW-Eau Claire and talks with Ross about her recently published study on cross-sex relationships. The study, "Benefit or Burden? Attraction in Cross-Sex Friendships," explores the element of attraction in platonic cross-sex friendships . Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for January 25, 2013 January 25, 2013 George Thomas, an Elvis Presley impersonator visiting the Fanny Hill Dinner Theater; Jayson Collins, the leader of the Jayson Collins Septet; Katherine Dutton, the executive director of the Stepping Stones in Menomonie; and Neil Johnson, the author of "Resorts of Wisconsin" all join Al Ross and special correspondent Jim Oliver Play MP3 Download   46:33   (Entire Program) George Thomas Prominent Elvis Presley impersonator, George Thomas, talks with Jim Oliver about his career as he prepared to perform at the Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre. Play MP3 Download Katherine Dutton Katherine Dutton is the executive director of the Stepping Stones in Menomonie and she talks with Ross about the services offered by Stepping Stones (including a UW-Stout student-run health clinic) and the efforts in its success. Play MP3 Download Jayson Collins Jayson Collins is the leader of the Jayson Collins Septet and has been a part of the Chippewa Valley music scene since 2004 as a member of the Troppo Big Band, the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, as well as a number of independent musical aggregations. Play MP3 Download Neil Johnson The author of "Resorts of Wisconsin" talks about his recently published book and his well-known commentary on travel and tradition in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for January 18. 2013 January 18, 2013 Host Al Ross covers the "History of UW-River Falls", upcoming seasons at the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony and the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and the student-run Stepping Stones Food Pantry in Menominee offering free, preventative health screenings to community members. Play MP3 Download   45:09   (Entire Program) Helen Bloomer Director of Frost/Nixon at the Barron Area Community Center, a production of The Barron Spotlighters Play MP3 Download Maleka "Polly" Hashmi UW-Stout associate professor of biology, and leading pre-health student offering free, preventative health screenings at Stepping Stones in Menomonie. Play MP3 Download Ivar Lunde Jr. Director and music director of Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra Play MP3 Download Dr. Aurelien Petillot Director of the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony Play MP3 Download Kathryn Otto and Heidi Southworth Otto, university archives director at UW-River Falls, and Southworth, head cataloger of the "History of UW-River Falls" - a new online publicly-accessible digital collection consists of selections from photographs, yearbooks and other historical documents Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for January 11, 2013 January 11, 2013 Ross talks with author Vicky Emerson, musician Dean Langby, Wayne Marek of the Eau Claire Children's Theatre and children's literature specialist Rob Reid Play MP3 Download   46:41   (Entire Program) Vicky Emerson Musician, recently released Dust and Echoes Play MP3 Download Dean Langby Musician and member of the Barnyard Banshees, hails from rural Elk Mound and plays a lively mix of jigs, reels and ballads Play MP3 Download Wayne Marek Executive director of the Eau Claire Children Theatre Play MP3 Download Rob Reid Sr. lecturer of educational studies at UW-Eau Claire and author of Silly Books to Read Aloud Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for January 4, 2013 January 04, 2013 Spectrum West welcomes Wisconsin Poet Laureate Max Garland, Jim Radloff, founder of the Eau Claire Ragtime Festival, Mark Moran, antiques appraisal specialist, and Beth Reidenbach, director of The Rainmaker at The Phipps Center in Hudson. Play MP3 Download   46:47   (Entire Program) Max Garland Wisconsin Poet Laureate Max Garland from Eau Claire talks with Ross about his recent award and lifetime of work Play MP3 Download "Early Work" by Max Garland A reading of his work by Wisconsin Poet Laureate Max Garland Play MP3 Download Jim Radloff Founder and music director of Eau Claire Ragtime Festival Play MP3 Download Mark Moran An antiques and fine art appraisal specialist, well known for his work with Antiques Roadshow and as former editor of Antiques and Collectibles Books for Krause Publications in Iola, Wisconsin Play MP3 Download Beth Reidenbach Director of The Rainmakerat The Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson Play MP3 Download Spectrum West - Best of 2012 December 28, 2012 This week's Spectrum West featured a "Year-in-Review" program. Host Al Ross is joined by correspondents Jim Oliver and Brady Merne as they recap 2012's highlights in arts and culture and look ahead to what 2013 will bring to western Wisconsin. Play MP3 Download   53:00   (Entire Program) Spectrum West for December 14, 2012 December 14, 2012 This week's guests include media coordinator Harriet Rice, mystery writer Mary Logue, director Gary Schwartzhoff, and comedian Jeff Cesario. Play MP3 Download   53:16   (Entire Program) Harriet Rice Harriet Rice, acted as media coordinator of The Wisconsin Passage: An Adventure in the Handmade, Homegrown, and Historical Offerings of Wisconsin from the Mississippi River to Lake Superior. Rice joins host Al Ross to talk about the project and its development. Play MP3 Download Mary Logue Mary Logue, mystery writer who uses the pen name Mary Lou Kirwin, talks with Special Correspondent Jim Oliver about her latest mystery Killer Librarian. Logue has written poetry and young adult novels, but is best known for her Claire Watkins murder mystery series set in Pepin County. Play MP3 Download Gary Schwartzhoff Gary Schwartzhoff, director of The Master Singers, talks with Ross about this year's Christmas concert, "Lessons and Carols: The Shepherds Sing." The Master Singers performed at the First Congregational Church in Eau Claire December 14 and St. Charles Borromeo Church in Chippewa Falls December 15. Play MP3 Download Jeff Cesario Jeff Cesario, comedian and native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, chats with Ross about his performance at the downtown Eau Claire Pizza Plus December 14. Cesario started his comedic career in Minneapolis before ending up in Los Angeles where he has co-produced shows such as Brand X and The Marriage Ref. Cesario and Ross discuss his career and current projects. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for December 7, 2012 December 07, 2012 This week's guests include Inventing Reality Editing Service owner Rob Bignell, Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra director Geoff Peterson, solo performer Ken Lonnquist, and director of choral studies at UW-Stout Daniel Clark. Play MP3 Download   66:27   (Entire Program) Rob Bignell Rob Bignell, author and owner of Inventing Reality Editing Service, talks with Special Correspondent Jim Oliver about his debut novel Windmill. Bignell is a Menomonie High School and UW-River Falls graduate with a master's degree in English. Play MP3 Download Geoff Peterson Geoff Peterson, director and percussionist of the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, joins host Al Ross as they discuss the "Big Bold Holiday Concert." The concert was the premiere of UW-Eau Claire's alumnus Andrew Neesley's Jazz Messiah and featured many favorite holiday tunes with a "swing." The concert was held December 13 at the Eau Claire State Theater. Play MP3 Download Ken Lonnquist Ken Lonnquist, solo performer and member of the Kenland Players Theater, talks with Ross about his performance at the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts in Amery. Lonnquist is a Madison resident that has been entertaining people for decades and will discuss his career and upcoming show. Play MP3 Download Daniel Clark Daniel Clark, director of choral studies at UW-Stout, talks with Ross about the Symphonic Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble concert on December 8. Clark also discusses his career and defines symphonic vocals. Play MP3 Download Spectrum West for November 30, 2012 November 30, 2012 This week's guests include Rick Vacius, co-directors of the Menomonie Theater Guild Bob Butterfield and Chelsea Chase, director of the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild Nick Sirek, and UW-Eau Claire student and author Patty Benson. Play MP3 Download   52:51   (Entire Program) Rick Vacius Rick Vacius, talks with host Al Ross about the closing of the Lake Pepin Art and Design Center. Since 2005, the Center has offered a full-spectrum of arts programming, workshops and creative opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and walks of life. Vacius will discuss the reasons for the Center's closing and what to expect in the future from the Lake Pepin area. Play MP3 Download Bob Butterfield and Chelsea Chase Bob Butterfield and Chelsea Chase co-directors of the Menomonie Theater Guild production "Twelve Angry Men", talk with correspondent Brady Merne about the show. Butterfield and Chase discuss the show's characters and behind-the-scenes challenges involved with 'portable' theater. The show opened November 30 at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. Play MP3 Download Nick Sirek Nick Sirek, director of the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild, talks with Special Correspondent Jim Oliver about the upcoming production fo "White Christmas." The production opens at the State Theatre in Eau Claire December 6. Play MP3 Download Patty Benson Patty Benson, a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire English major, is publishing her second and third book for young adults. Ross talks with Benson about her inspiration, education, and plans for the future. Play MP3 Download Back Further? (View Period: 05/23/12 - 11/27/12)