Arts on Fire

Comedian Paul Morrissey talks with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about his upcoming album taping at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, the unlikely dreams of being a comedian while growing up in Upstate New York, getting bumped by Regis Philbin on David Letterman, how a broadcasting background helped Paul in his transition to comedy and much more https://www.paulhasawebsite.com https://www.instagram.com/paulhasawebsite https://www.facebook.com/PaulCMorrissey https://twitter.com/paulmorrissey Tickets for Paul's upcoming Jamestown performances - https://tickets.comedycenter.org/ActivityBooking.aspx https://www.wrfalp.com

Ben Westlund and Shawn Huestis of Uncle Ben's Remedy joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss the bands new album "Let It Not Be Lost" and their March 4th record release show in Versailles, NY https://unclebensremedy.com https://unclebensremedy.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/unclebensremedy https://www.facebook.com/unclebensremedy https://twitter.com/YeOleRemedy https://www.wrfalp.com

Arts on Fire LIVE continues in February 2023 with a performance from rock band The Elektra Kings! https://theelektrakings.yolasite.com/ http://dannyimig.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheElektraKings https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hqn5Qu7PQhyOpTcx22dT1 ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE brings you the very best of Chautauqua County's local artists via a live, in-studio performance! The program was not only broadcast live, but also replayed during our regular Arts on Fire time slot - Fridays at 5 p.m. on WRFA! The show is produced and broadcast by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM, Kranky Plate Productions, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY. All 2023 Arts on Fire LIVE performances are made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant.

Len Barry of the Reg Lenna Center For The Arts joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in-studio to discuss upcoming February events at the Reg as well as how the theater plans to take part in this years Doors Open Jamestown https://reglenna.com https://www.instagram.com/reglennajamestown https://www.facebook.com/RegLenna https://twitter.com/RegLenna

Holly Weston of Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown talked with WRFA's Anthony Merchant all about the theatre's first production of the year "The Play That Goes Wrong", being a part of this years Doors Open Jamestown, upcoming productions for the 2023 season and much more https://www.lucilleballlittletheatre.org https://www.instagram.com/lblittletheatre https://www.facebook.com/lblittletheatre

Fredonia, NY based artist Thomas Annear joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss his artwork, the yearly Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail, the landscapes of Western New York, painting in National Parks, the importance of sunrises/sunsets for artists and much more https://www.thomasannear.com https://www.instagram.com/thomasannearart https://www.facebook.com/ThomasAnnearArt

Matt Maloof and Matt Downey kick off the first Arts on Fire LIVE by performing songs from Maloof's latest album "How'm I Doin?" and many more https://www.mattmaloof.com ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE brings you the very best of Chautauqua County's local artists via a live, in-studio performance! The program was not only broadcast live, but also replayed during our regular Arts on Fire time slot - Fridays at 5 p.m. on WRFA! The show is produced and broadcast by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM, Kranky Plate Productions, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY. All 2023 Arts on Fire LIVE performances are made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant.

Local musician and music educator John Cross joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant for a discussion on John's incredible career in music, what he did in 2022 and what he has planned for 2023

Author and SUNY Fredonia Professor Christina Jarvis joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss her new book on Kurt Vonnegut's Planetary Citizenship called "Lucky Mud and Other Foma", teaching a class on Vonnegut, how creativity strikes Christina, rediscovering books from your youth and how the messages change and much more https://www.sevenstories.com/books/4452-lucky-mud-and-other-foma https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences/english/faculty/Christina-Jarvis

Bill Ward brings his Holiday Adventure to 107.9 WRFA with the final 2022 performance on Arts on Fire LIVE. Bill is joined by the talented Sally Schaefer (Violin), Adam McKillip (Mandolin) and John Cross (Saxophone). http://www.billwardmusic.com https://www.wrfalp.com/arts-on-fire-live ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE brings you the very best of Chautauqua County's local artists via a live, in-studio performance! The program was not only broadcast live, but also replayed during our regular Arts on Fire time slot - Fridays at 5 p.m. on WRFA! The show is produced and broadcast by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM, Kranky Plate Productions, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY. All 2022 Arts on Fire LIVE performances are made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant.

Monika Alch and Elizabeth Bush join WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss this years annual performances of The Nutcracker at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts https://www.cryb.net https://reglenna.com/upcoming

Neil Flory, head of the Music Department at Jamestown Community College, spoke with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about the years end/end of semester performances at JCC for December 2022. https://www.sunyjcc.edu/events

George Mor joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant to talk about his industrial/noise project STCLVR as well as going on tour, if there's a local industrial scene is like in Jamestown, why every band should be releasing music on Bandcamp, plans for 2023 and much more https://linktr.ee/stclvr?fbclid=IwAR0YRyNh7lfmstJAFTBBKmmxPB8KfegyXM-nzmOIzUh7i6bkCIr52CXHCgg

Holly Weston of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss the theatres upcoming performances of Elf the Musical and more http://www.lucilleballlittletheatre.org

David Niles of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in the studios to discuss RTPI's Holidays at the Lodge, Art After Five, the 2023 Banff Film Festival and much more https://rtpi.org

Len Barry of the Reg Lenna joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in the studios to discuss December events at the Reg along with what they have planned for early 2023 reglenna.com

On Thursday Night, November 17, WRFA welcomed Pearl City Jazz to the Reg Lenna Media Arts Studio for a special live broadcast performance! Pearl City Jazz is a 17 member Jazz Orchestra, featuring community members from throughout the Chautauqua Region, led by local music legend Ralph "Razz" Rasmussen! ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE brings you the very best of Chautauqua County's local artists via a live, in-studio performance! The program was not only broadcast live, but also replayed during our regular Arts on Fire time slot - Fridays at 5 p.m. on WRFA! The show is produced and broadcast by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM, Kranky Plate Productions, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY. All 2022 Arts on Fire LIVE performances are made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant.

Uptown Fever vocalist Jamie Lee joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss the bands upcoming performance at the Struthers Library Theatre in Warren, PA, Jamie's musical background, why we both think Motown is timeless and much more https://www.uptownfever.com https://www.facebook.com/uptownfever https://www.strutherslibrarytheatre.org

WRFA's Anthony Merchant joined Maria Ferguson at the Roget Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY to discuss 3 new exhibits at RTPI including works by Charley and Edie Harper, Fredonia artist Margaret Braun and various local artists who did art inspired by local nature https://rtpi.org

WRFA's Anthony Merchant speaks with Canadian journalist and author Anne Bokma about her upcoming memoir writing workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown, what sparked Anne's love for writing, the art of the memoir, challenges people face that keep them from writing and much more https://www.annebokma.com https://www.instagram.com/annebokma https://twitter.com/anne_bokma https://www.facebook.com/anne.bokma.1 https://www.uujamestown.org https://www.facebook.com/jamestownuu

Local author Trenton Lutes joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in the studio to discuss his debut book "In-Spire: Book One of the Terra-Healers", his upcoming meet the author event, bonsai trees, painting and much more https://toastedwafflestudios.wixsite.com/trentonlutes https://www.facebook.com/toastedwafflestudios https://www.amazon.com/Spire-Book-One-Terra-Healers-ebook/dp/B0B94BTNV1

Jamestown rock band The Hallow Society joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant for a live performance and Q+A on the October edition of Arts on Fire LIVE. https://www.facebook.com/TheHALLOWSociety/ https://twitter.com/hallowsociety https://www.reverbnation.com/hallowsociety

JCC's Neil Flory sat down with WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss the upcoming visit of acclaimed Saxophonist Andy Wen to the Jamestown Community College campus along with more upcoming events in the fall 2022 semester. https://www.sunyjcc.edu/

Author TJ Buck joins Anthony Merchant in the WRFA studios to talk about TJ's latest book Here Be Lions, writing influences, if it gets easier to write a novel the more times you've done it, how music influences TJ's writing and much more https://www.amazon.com/Here-Be-Lions-TJ-Buck/dp/B09X49ZZG2

Jamestown band In Crowd joins WRFA's Jason Sample in the Reg Lenna Media Arts Studio for a special broadcast of Arts on Fire LIVE The performance was broadcast on WRFA 107.9 FM and also simultaneously premiere on our Youtube Channel! ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE brings you the very best of Chautauqua County's local artists via a live, in-studio performance! The show is produced and broadcast by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM, Kranky Plate Productions, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY. All 2022 Arts on Fire LIVE performances are made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant. https://www.facebook.com/incrowdlive/

Will Russell and Ellen Paquette of the band Sixpence join WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss the bands debut album Songs of Sixpence, their musical beginnings and how they began working together, Ellen's artwork endeavors outside of the band and much more https://www.facebook.com/SongsofSixpence21 https://www.facebook.com/ellenpaquetteartandmusic http://www.ellenpaquette.com/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant talks with local artist and business owner Leslie Calimeri about the Chautauqua Art Gallery and its new location along with what the future holds for the gallery. https://www.chautauquaartgallery.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chautauqua_art_gallery/ https://www.facebook.com/chautauquaartgallery

WRFA's Anthony Merchant talks with local artist Molly Strong about her mural project on the Spring Street parking garage in Jamestown. They also talk influences, creative process and other outlets of creativity Molly has. https://www.mollystrongart.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mollystrongart/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant talks with Magician Michael Grandinetti, who will be coming to the main stage of Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Jamestown comedian Paul Clemente of Karate Sleepover joined WRFA's Anthony Merchant in the studios to discuss putting on Jamestown's first reverse roast, the return of Karate Sleepover's open mic night, the local comedy scene and much much more http://www.karatesleepover.com/ https://www.instagram.com/karatesleepover/ https://twitter.com/karatesleepover/ https://www.facebook.com/karatesleepover/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe6uOsZ1oaKXaWjDdvNiSug

Dancer, choreographer and owner of the Sukanya Burman Dance Company in Jamestown, NY, Sukanya Burman joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss her journey from India to New York City to Western New York/Northwest Pennsylvania, what she is doing to help other dancers get work, running the Sukanya Burman Dance Company and more https://www.sukanyaburman.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sukanyaOFFICIAL https://www.youtube.com/c/sukanyaburman

Julie Rockcastle of The Heron returns to Arts on Fire to speak with WRFA's Anthony Merchant all about the fourth and final Beyond the Blue for 2022, what you can find at The Heron in the fall, a recap of the first year of the Beyond the Blue music series, the dates for the 2023 Great Blue Heron Festival and much more https://theheron.org/ https://soundcloud.com/wrfaradio/arts-on-fire-julie-rockcastle-of-the-great-blue-heron-festival-july-15-2022

On Friday, August 19, WRFA presents students from Infinity Visual & Performing Arts in the Reg Lenna Media Arts Studio for a special broadcast of a prerecorded live performance (originally recorded Thursday, August 9)! The performance was broadcast on WRFA 107.9 FM and also simultaneously premiere on our Youtube Channel! Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization in Jamestown, NY founded in 1998, with a mission to create and sustain an environment in which young people, based solely on their desire to participate, can grow, learn, and lead through active participation in the visual and performing arts. ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE brings you the very best of Chautauqua County's local artists via a live, in-studio performance! The show is produced and broadcast by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM, Kranky Plate Productions, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY. All 2022 Arts on Fire LIVE performances are made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant.

Comedian, writer and podcast host Pat Hazell talks with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about his one night only Johnny Carson variety and tribute show in Jamestown, NY, the new Carson exhibit at the National Comedy Center, what it was like to perform on Johnny Carson, why he ruled over all other late night hosts and much more https://www.facebook.com/pathazellcreative https://comedycenter.org

Jamestown painter and punk rock musician Joseph Grice joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss Joe's musical and artistic journeys, his upcoming art classes and residency at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, whether or not Joe can see himself playing in a band again, his solo music under the name "Joey Cobra", future plans and goals and much more https://www.josephgrice.art https://joeycobra.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/Joseph_Grice_Art https://www.instagram.com/joey_cobra_music https://www.facebook.com/JosephGriceArt https://www.facebook.com/JoeyCobra https://rtpi.org/programs

Miki Girts of the Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival joins Anthony Merchant in the WRFA studios to discuss the 2022 Whirlybird Fest, the origins of the festival and Miki's love for music, artists to expect on this years lineup, future goals for Whirlybird and much more https://whirlybirdfest.com https://www.instagram.com/whirlybirdfest https://www.facebook.com/whirlybirdfest

RTPI's Maria Ferguson and George Harper speak with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about the institutes new art exhibition called Art that Matters to the Planet, the on going Art After 5 series, how the Roger Tory Peterson Institute plans to celebrate Roger Tory Peterson's 114th birthday this summer and much more https://rtpi.org https://www.instagram.com/rtpinstitute https://www.facebook.com/rtpinstitute https://twitter.com/rtpinstitute

Julie Rockcastle, owner of The Heron Farm & Event Center (Home to the Blue Heron Music Festival) stopped by WRFA to talk with Anthony Merchant about this years new Beyond the Blue Summer Music Series, how this year Great Blue Heron Festival went, the year long work it takes for a weekend of music, upcoming events at The Heron and more https://theheron.org

Holly Weston of the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown talked with WRFA's Anthony Merchant all about the Theatres triumphant return post Covid, the upcoming performance of the musical comedy Disenchanted, what to expect from Little Theatre for the rest of 2022 and more http://www.lucilleballlittletheatre.org

Mandy Andrews of the Chadakoin Chamber Ensemble talks with WRFA's Anthony Merchant all about the groups upcoming premier concert on July 10th at the Allen Park Bandshell, playing Cello, what got Mandy into music and more https://www.facebook.com/CCEJamestown/

The Reg Lenna's Len Barry sits down with WRFA's Anthony Merchant to recap the 2022 WRFA Great American Picnic and what themes he'd like to see for future picnics. Len also fills us in on summer events going on at the Reg and their upcoming summer block party https://reglenna.com https://www.wrfalp.com

Legendary bassist George Porter Jr. talks with WRFA's Anthony Merchant all about his bass playing, going back out on the road with George Porter Jr. & the Runnin Pardners, what George looks for in a good drummer, the NOLA music scene during the early days of The Meters, what equipment George has played over the year, playing Red Rocks and more http://www.georgeporterjr.com https://www.instagram.com/georgeporterjr https://www.facebook.com/GeorgePorterJr

Tina Toole of the Pennsylvania section of the 4,800 mile, eight state long North Country Trail talks with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about the amazing parts of the NCT that run through PA's Allegheny National Forest and NY's Allegany State Park. They also get into this years NCT100, NCTPA50 and FLT60, finding your love for nature, why the trail is perfect for every level hiker, how people can volunteer and help out on the North Country Trail and more. https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/ https://www.nps.gov/noco/index.htm https://www.facebook.com/northcountrytrail https://www.instagram.com/northcountrytrail

On this months Arts on Fire Live we had an amazing performance from the Fredonia Guitar Quartet. FGQ is an ensemble from Fredonia University and are directed by Dr. James Piorkowski. Beyond performing the quartet also talked with WFRA's Anthony Merchant in between songs to discuss the group and how they all individually discovered their musical talents. WATCH THE PERFORMANCE ON THE WRFA YOUTUBE PAGE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nVzMQ9LWBQ&t=630s https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/guitar-ensemble

Jamestown artist and creator Bill Thomas joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss the return of Third Thursday to downtown Jamestown after taking a hiatus in 2019. The two discuss the work that goes into putting on the show, local music and local scenes, the importance of support from your community, continuing to add events beyond music to Third Thursday, the introduction of Industry Nite at Jamestown Skate Products and much more.

Katie Henry talked with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about recording her sophomore record earlier this year, seeing the world through touring, performing in Jamestown at the end of May, why 2022 is her year of firsts and much much more https://katiehenrymusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/katiehenrymusic/ https://www.facebook.com/katiehenrymusic https://twitter.com/katiehenrymusic http://www.wrfalp.com/

NOTE: Hyprov at the Reg Lenna has been postponed as of Wednesday, June 1, 2022. A make up date will be announced at a future time. Improv legend Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci join WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss their Hyprov show that they'll be bringing to the Reg Lenna in Jamestown on June 3rd, 2022. The three discuss the origins of Hyprov, how the performances continue to improve over time, working with people who are hypnotized, how Hyprov has different challenges for Colin than doing Whose Line, taking the show off Broadway and much more https://www.hyprov.com/ http://www.colinmochrie.com/ https://entrancingentertainment.com/ https://www.instagram.com/colinmochrie7591/ https://www.instagram.com/asadmecci/ https://twitter.com/colinmochrie https://twitter.com/hypnohype http://www.wrfalp.com/ https://reglenna.com/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant was joined in studio by Len Barry of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts to talk upcoming events at the Reg, the return of live performances, why the theater experience is unmatched, bracing for tons of summer events in Chautauqua County and much more https://reglenna.com/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant went to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to see and discuss the new Art of the Field Guide exhibit with RTPI's Maria Ferguson and David Niles. The group talked about the artwork on display, what goes into putting together an exhibit, all the summer events coming to RTPI and more The Art of the Field Guide exhibit is up from now until July, 17 2022 https://rtpi.org/exhibitions/art-of-the-field-guide/ https://rtpi.org/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant joined Jamestown Community College musical director Neil Flory in the music department of JCC to discuss the renovations to the department, new facilities, ensemble performances for the end of semester, what to look for at JCC this May and much more https://www.sunyjcc.edu/events https://www.sunyjcc.edu/faculty-staff-directory/neil-flory