Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

KC Folk Fest w/ Rachel Christia & Vi Tran + Darin Challacombe + Madeline Marak & Lori Buntin

Mark spins More New & MidCoastal Releases from: Andrew Connor, Stephonne, The Freedom Affair, Trevor Turla, Flutienastiness, Julia Haile with Les Izmore, Sisterbot, Kaia Kater, Swamp Dogg, Angélique Kidjo, Cola, Hovvdy, Aldous Harding, Allison Russell with Kara Jackson, Denita, & Explore! Pop Choir.

At 10:30am we talk with Darin Challacombe host & producer of KKFI’s All That Class and Jazz, broadcast Saturday mornings 2:00am to 5:00am. Darin, holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Northcentral University. He also holds a degree in Specialization in Human Resources Management – Certified Practitioner, and is Director of Talent Development at a medical records company. With 20+ years in education and deep roots in the health information field, Darren serves on several professional boards and associations. When he’s not in the office, Darin is DJ Darin — the voice behind All That Class and Jazz on KKFI. A trained vocalist and enthusiast of jazz, blues, swing, and classical music, he’s lived in a half-dozen states and several countries, and recently returned to Kansas City from South America.

At 11:00am Rachel Christia & Vi Tran share info about KC Folk Fest, Saturday, May 30, 11:00am to 7:00pm at Washington Square Park with The Freedom Affair, Kaia Kater, Flutienastieness & The Soul Patrol, Julia Haile, Reach, Trevor Turla, Sisterbot, Bad Alaskan, and more! KC Folk Fest boasts four stages, delicious food trucks, bike valet and an extensive craft market chock full of local vendors. Heralded as a grassroots “people’s fest,” organized by a local community-led board. KC Folk Fest continues its legacy as an all-ages, admission-free city festival whose mission is “to celebrate the music and arts of our neighborhoods, region and beyond.” Originally founded as a public outreach event for Folk Alliance International’s annual industry conference in 2016, FAI transitioned the fest over to local stakeholders in 2019. “Kansas City Folk Festival” incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2021 and produced their first outdoor folk festival in 2022 in Washington Square Park, KCMO. For more information: http://www.kcfolkfest.org

At 11:30am artists Madeline Marak & Lori Buntin joins us to talk about a group show at Kansas City Artists Coalition curated by Madeline Marak called (un) Focused – a show of women artists who create images within lived experiences, which explore the relationship between urban and suburban, personal spaces, belonging, and a collective uncertain future. Marak brings together artists whose work intends to prompt the viewer to re-consider, re-connect, and re-examine ordinary spaces and familiar, yet uncharted spaces. Artists include: Lori Buntin, Hannah Chalew, Nicole Fry, Jessica Heikes, Kaitlyn B. Jones, Jessica Kincaid, Madeline Marak, Caroline Minchew, Yuxiao Mu, Katelyn Patton, Mandy Pedigo, Whitney Lea Sage, Carley Schmidt, Francesca Simonite, Tiffany J. Sutton, Gala Reneaum Tello, Chanel Thomas, Katherine Toler, Carolyn Wiedeman, and Arin Yoon. Opening Reception Friday, June 5, 5:00pm. Closing Reception Friday, July 5, 5:00pm. On View: May 15 – July 3, 2026 at Kansas City Artists Coalition, 3200 Gillham Road, KCMO. http://www.kansascityartistscoalition.org

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1148