Spectrum West With Al Ross: Recent Episodes
Wisconsin Public Radio
"Spectrum West" is a weekly program exploring the music, arts, and humanities in western Wisconsin. Hosted by Al Ross, it's heard weekly on Thursdays from 10 a.m. on 88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls with a livestream at www.wrfw887.com . A repeat broadcast happens at 7 p.m. Fridays on 89.7 WUEC-FM/ Eau Claire and 90.7 WVSS-FM/ Menomonie. The show can also be heard live online at www.wrfw887.com .
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."
Host Al Ross welcomes Paula Poundstone back to the show. Poundstone is a frequent collaborator with National Public Radio with her now-retired: “Live from the Poundstone Institute” and as a panelist on “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!.”
Host Al Ross welcomes Anthony Ross, principal cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra, to the show. He will be playing with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra March 5 at the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire.
“Spectrum West” explores women’s voting rights when host Al Ross welcomes the author of a play about suffragists and local representatives of voting rights organizations.
On a special “Spectrum West” host Al Ross honors the life and career of Bill Staines, a folk singer and songwriter who died in Dec. 2021.
Host Al Ross welcomes musicians Peter Phippen and Ivar Lunde Jr., conductor and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Emeritus Professor of music, who have released an album “Into the Ancient.”
Host Al Ross welcomes retired Wisconsin Public Radio Senior Regional Manager Dean Kallenbach to help celebrate his 600th episode hosting “Spectrum West.” The two share the history, evolution and vision of the show and profile past hosts.
Remembering Louie Anderson, New Jazz Group, UW-Eau Claire Faculty Piano Concert and UW-River Falls Student Play– Al Ross hosts a special “Spectrum West” remembering the life of comedian and Minnesota native Louie Anderson. The show also features interviews about a new album featuring saxophonist Sue Orfield, a First Friday Concert by University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire faculty and a University of Wisconsin-River Falls all-student-organized play taking place the first week of February.
Poet, Pablo Center, Special Ed Fundraising Auction, New Book– On “Spectrum West” this week, host Al Ross visits with Todd Boss, a poet 0and native of rural Fall Creek. The show also features interviews with the executive director of the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire, a special education teacher in the Eau Claire school district and an Altoona-based metal sculptor.
Eau Claire, Wis.– “Spectrum West” host Al Ross visits with John Smith, the Trempealeau singer/songwriter, who has a new album: “Backroads.” The show also includes interviews with an Altoona choir director, the Executive Director of The Mabel Tainter in Menomonie and a closer look at the 2022 Art Shanty Projects festival at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Minn.
Eau Claire, Wis.– At 10 a.m., Jan. 6 host Al Ross visits with Chia-Yu Hsu, associate professor of composition at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Department of Music. The show also features interviews with cast members of a musical opening at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls, the director of a comedy opening at the Grand Theatre in Eau Claire and the editor of the Big River Magazine of Winona.
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.