The City Lights Collective

Curator Spalding Nix details THOROUGHFARE, on view at Spalding Nix fine art gallery through September 8. Plus, we’ll hear about the Pan African Festival in Decatur, the Upbeat Benefit at the Star Bar, and we’ll visit with H Johnson for the latest edition of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“ArtAround: Pathways” program director Elan Buchen discusses their inaugural season, which includes visual art, installations, performances, and workshops throughout green spaces in Roswell. Plus, “Operation Action through Art co-founders Danielle Snowdy, Milana Snowdy, and Lylah Snowdy detail the non-profit’s mission to raise money for cancer research by empowering kids to create art. And ABV Gallery owner Greg Mike and Gilde Pizza owner Rob Birdsong explain how art and pizza will intersect at this Saturday’s “Pizza Party” art show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Navin Norling details his new exhibition, "Navin Norling: Dirty Legacy," on view at Johnson Lowe Gallery through September 9. Plus, Talor'd Tales takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Poetry," and we hear about MTM Standard, the new student-led, student-managed music distribution company from Georgia State University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and Christopher Moses discuss their new positions as co-artistic directors of the Alliance Theatre. Plus, photographer Myrtie Cope takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Art,” and we hear about the AgLanta Eats Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brandon Brones and Flannery Pearson-Clark from Food Well Alliance detail the workshop series, “Plant. Eat. Repeat.” Plus, Nicodagoat takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and Shakti members John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain discuss their 50th-anniversary world tour stops at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on August 25th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We celebrate Hip-Hip at 50 today with a feature from City Lights producer Jeannine Etter about the history of the culture. Then, we’ll listen back to conversations with photographer Cam Kirk and artist and creative director DL Warfield. Plus, City Lights contributors Mike Jordan and Sammie Purcell join us for “How Do You Atlanta.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blaire Bosley and Laura Flusche from Museum of Design Atlanta discuss “Level Up: Pixels Play and Progress,” on view at MODA through September 17. Plus, comedian Ally Edge takes the small stage in our series, “Speaking of Comedy,” and we’ll hear about Black Art in America’s upcoming fine art print show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist and curator Matt Terrell details "Living Room, San Francisco, 1986," on view through Oct. 15 at Fulton County Emma Darnell Aviation Community Cultural Center. Plus, Justin Patton takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Poetry," and Record Plug Magazine co-publishers Ryan Williams and Kip Thomas discuss their free local music publication.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta writer Hannah Palmer discusses her “Ghost Pools” installations at Spring Avenue Park and JD Milner Park through Labor Day. Plus, fiber artist and environmentalist Jamie Bourgeois takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Art,” and we’ll hear about the Supergroup “The Baseball Project.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Andre Dickens recently announced that The City of Atlanta is hosting a weeklong celebration for the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. “City Lights” producer Summer Evans discusses the “ATL 50 Hip Hop” series of events. Plus, woodworking artist Doug Pisik and curator Madeline Beck discuss “Metro Montage,” on view at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art through September 3. Then, violinist Carey Durham takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Music.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet Stephen Wing and photographer Luz Wright discuss their collaborative book, “Wild Atlanta: Greenspaces and Nature Preserves of The City in the Forest.” Plus, comedian Derick Marchel takes the small stage in our series, “Speaking of Comedy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Textile artist Wini McQueen discusses “The Canopy,” her large-scale exhibit on view at the Macon Mall. Plus, our series “Speaking of Poetry” shines a light on W.J. Lofton, and City Lights contributor Mike Jordan joins us to discuss the good, the bad, and the delicious facts about “Restaurant Weeks” ahead of Atlanta’s upcoming “Black Restaurant Week.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel guru Rick Steves stops by for our series, “ATL Up and Away.” This month the beloved PBS host discusses how to avoid scams and theft while traveling overseas. Plus, artist Carol Santos takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Art,” and Lauren Tate Baeza, the High Museum’s Curator of African Art details their new exhibition, “Ancient Nubia: Art of the 25th Dynasty.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Kelly, Director of Exhibits and Education for Children Museum of Atlanta, discusses “Shaun the Sheep: Flock This Way,” on view through September 4. Plus, we’ll hear about The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia’s 2023-2024 working artists fellow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk with Rory Hawkins, aka Catlanta, the artist behind the colorful kitten paintings hidden around the city. Plus, WABE music contributor Scott Stewart shares his classical summer music playlist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta art collectors Esohe and George Galbreath discuss their new book “"The Galbreath Collection: A Decade of Collecting Atlanta." Atlanta artist Dawn Williams Boyd discusses her cloth painting that was acquired by the MET. And comedian Zachary Wright shares his story in our “Speaking of Comedy” series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist and author Alan Paul discusses his new book, "Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Album That Defined the 70s.” “City Lights” producer Summer Evans travels to see prehistoric creatures at Pullman Yards in their new “Jurassic World” exhibit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Cara Consilvia discusses her new documentary, “For the Love of Friends,” which details Brent Nicholson Earle’s ten thousand mile run for AIDS. Plus, Jasmin Rhia takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Music.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Jessica Caldas discusses her exploration of motherhood in her new exhibition, "Every Stage of Becoming," on view at MOCA GA through Aug. 5. Plus, musicians Mark Cline and Kelly Crow, along with ephemera preservationist Stephanie Jackson, detail the upcoming screening and art exhibition focusing on the recently restored short film "Carnival," which stars the once forgotten Athens band, "Limbo District." Then, artist William Downs takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Art."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Rodriguez, executive director of Hub 404, discusses their ambitious project, which includes a half-mile-long art-centric public park. Plus, Beth Blackwell Cullen, director and co-founder of the Virginia Highland Plein air painters, details the group's first major exhibition, "Summer Blooms," on view at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens through July 30. And, H Johnson shines a light on Chet Baker for the latest installment of H Johnson's Jazz Moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Puppy Songs” creator Matt Hobbs stops by to talk about his viral hit “Cheese Tax” and his newest release, “How Amazing.” Plus, we celebrate Lois Reitzes on her 70th birthday! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multidisciplinary artist and curator Edouard Duval-Carrié discusses the elements of Haitian Voodoo and mythology in his surreal mixed-media paintings. His artwork is on view at Hammond’s House through October 1. Plus, Mia S. Willis takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” and then playwright, poet, and political activist Pearl Cleage joins us for a moving reading of “A Poem for Our Children.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syrian American composer Malek Jandali and Maestro Marin Alsop detail their new release of Jandali’s concertos for violin and clarinet. Plus, comedian Hank Denson takes the small stage in our series, “Speaking of Comedy,” and we learn about the new Executive Director of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bem Joiner, founder of “Atlanta Influences Everything,” tells us how he lobbied to get our city global cultural recognition. Plus, we hear about “regret-free” tattoos from Ephemeral Tattoo in Poncey-Highlands. Then, Amberly Hui Hood takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Art,” and Julie Odom shares the history of the Star Bar in our series, “Cheers!”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with Leanna Pierre, an Atlanta based competitor on PBS’ “The Great American Recipe.” Plus, dance designer Nadya Zeitlin takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and WABE contributor Mike Jordan and Rough Draft Atlanta writer Sammie Purcell stop by with details on what’s happening in Atlanta this weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curator Katie Jentleson discusses "Memoryscapes," a collection of work by the late Ukrainian folk artist George Voronovsky, on view now at the High Museum of Art. Plus, we learn how to get free art in Little Five Points this Saturday. Then, Miller Union co-owner and chef Steven Satterfield stops by to detail his new cookbook, "Vegetable Revelations: Inspiration for Produce-Forward Cooking."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta native and author Grant Lindsley joins us to discuss his new memoir “Mediocre Monk.” The book reflects on his time in Thailand practicing the branch of Buddhism known as the Thai-Forest Tradition. Plus, poet Amena Brown takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta-based Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown tells us about his participation in the new PBS series, “Southern Storytellers.” Plus, curator Rebecca Selem-Martin details the new exhibition at the Dekalb History Center that celebrates the county’s bicentennial, and Dan Weeks takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Comedy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atlanta BeltLine’s arts and culture program manager, Miranda Kyle, and muralist, Aysha Pennerman, detail the BeltLine Walls project. Plus, we’ll discuss “Wicked” with Georgia native Jackie Raye. The actor is part of the ensemble cast and the understudy for Glinda and Nessarose. And WABE’s H Johnson tells us about the Modern Jazz Quartet in the newest edition of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret Pendergrass, senior lecturer of theatre and performance studies at the College of the Arts at KSU, Marlon Burnley, assistant professor of theatre at the College of the Arts at KSU, and Rodney Williams, assistant stage manager at the Alliance Theatre, discuss the “New Connections Collision Project.” Plus, Sean Thomason takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and curator Birney Robert and artist Chanell Angeli detail the “Extension of Nature” exhibition, on view on digital signs in downtown Atlanta through July 31.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Melinda Hartwig details the Carlos Museum exhibition "Life and the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Art from the Senusret Collection." Plus, video producer Maxwell Bentley takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Y'allywood." Then, Atlanta author Shermain Perry Knights examines long-distance friendship in her new children's book, "I Miss My Friend, and That's Okay," and filmmaker Kate Weare and Core Dance co-founder and artistic director Sue Schroeder detail this year's enCore Dance on Film series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We visit with cultural icon Erykah Badu before her Atlanta performance on July 15 at State Farm Arena. Then, we talk photography with Oglethorpe University’s Christina Price Washington as part of our series, “The Art of Teaching.” Plus, we catch up with two of the hosts of the new WABE Studio’s podcast, “Democracy Vibe Check,” Gabriel Cruz and Cameron Katz, and we shine a light on artist Kevin Bongang in our series, “Speaking of Art.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Udi Hershkovitz, owner of “SabaRaba’s,” discusses his passion for Israeli street food and why he wanted to run his eatery out of a shipping container. Plus, Lyle Baldes + Alex Frankcombe detail Underground Atlanta’s “First Fridays,” and Team City Lights gets together for a July 4th event roundup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sculptor Thomas Dambo tells us about "Trolls: Save the Humans" on view now at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Plus, comedian Ian Aber takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Comedy," and Director Eric J. Little discusses the Actor's Express production of "Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Malone details her new album “Fan Favorites Vol. 1: Unplugged.” Then, our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” shines a light on Nhataniel Placide, and we catch up with Pullman Yards owner Adam Rosenfelt and discuss their new eclectic hall-style drink-tasting experience, “AlcoHall.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving Kitchen’s co-founder Jen Hidinger-Kendrick discusses the organization’s mission on their 10th anniversary. Then, Sara Keith, director and owner of the Atlanta School of Photography and president and co-founder of Illuminate ATL, explains how they aim to increase access to photography education in underserved Atlanta communities. Plus, Andrea & Mud take the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we hear from the Atlanta Ice Theater ahead of their trip to the National Championships in Detroit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Composer, minister, activist and Emory professor of music, the Reverend Dr. Dwight Andrews, discusses the life and legacy of Harry Belafonte. Then, Kyle Kazanjian-Amory, founder of “Don’t Tell Comedy,” and Atlanta comedian Will Wright let us in on their secret pop-up shows. Plus, H Johnson shares music from jazz vocalist and alto saxophonist Vi Redd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for WABE’s Mixtape Block Party with Emma Hardyman of “Little Moon.” The NPR Tiny Desk Contest-winning band headlines Sunday’s block party at Woodroof Plaza’s Callaway Arts Center. Plus, our series, “Speaking of Music,” features three of the five local acts on the Mixtape bill, “Vahn Black,” “Uncle Bubz,” and “J Nolan.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reverend Doctor Ralph Basui Watkins, the Columbia Theological Seminary Professor behind the new exhibition and documentary “Seeing the Future of the African American Church in the Rainbow.” Then, we spotlight multi-hyphenate casting director Erica Arvold in our “Speaking of Y’allywood” series and hear about the ASO’s upcoming “Concerts in the Park: A Latin Celebration.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carlisa N. Johnson, musical director of the Resistance Revival Chorus, and Susan O’Brien, director of “RESIST,” discuss the new documentary about the collective. Plus, mixed media artist Leah Abucayan takes the spotlight in our “Speaking of Art” series, and we hear about the Atlanta Children’s Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author, poet and artist Van G. Garrett discusses his new children’s picture book, “Juneteenth.” Plus, Challenge the Stats’ founder Angelica Hairston and community choir director Verena Lucia Anders detail the “Around Sound” Juneteenth Jubilee concert. Then, Team City Lights shares Juneteenth celebrations happening this weekend in and around Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Documentarian Daresha Kyi details “Mama Bears,” which airs on WABE TV on June 20. Then, Assistant Professor of History at Spelman College Nafeesa Muhammad tells us about the history of Juneteenth. Plus, managing partner Josh Jacob discusses the history and longevity of Limerick Junction Pub for our “Cheers!” series, and we celebrate 30 years of music with the Atlanta Freedom Bands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Nsenga Burton and Professor Andre Brock discuss the high praise and hostile criticism directed at the new live-action film, “The Little Mermaid.” Plus, Avery Willis details this year’s Southern Fried Queer Pride festival, and Theresa Davis takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer, director and composer Rob Shaw-Smith discusses “The Legend of Finn McCool” on stage June 16-25 at Academy Theatre in Hapeville. Plus, our series “Speaking of Music” shines a light on Dashill Smith, and we hear about “Avanti Da Vinci” on stage now at the Center for Puppetry Arts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Neal Brennan returns to City Lights ahead of his upcoming show at Variety Playhouse. Plus, program director Susie Purcell details Synchronicity Theatre’s “Playmaking for Girls” program, and we catch up with Emmanuel Jagari Chanda of the Zambian psych-rock band W.I.T.C.H. before they take the stage at Terminal West on June 15. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drag queen EllaSaurus Rex discusses her role as host of the inaugural “Peachies” WUSSY Nightlife Awards Gala at City Winery on June 12. Plus, we’ll hear about this weekend’s Punk Foodie Fest, talk to filmmaker Preston Zeller about his documentary “The Art of Grieving,” and visit with H Johnson for the newest edition of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Michelle Hite discusses the new collaboration between Spelman College and Spotify that aims to help students develop skills in the art of podcasting. Plus, we celebrate the art of language with poet Ryan Jones and our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” and author Julia Franks details her new novel, “The Say So.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pianist Lara Downes details her new album “Love at Last.” Plus, Xavier Lewis is highlighted in our series, “Speaking of Dance,” and artist and curator Courtney Brooks discusses “Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived,” the new exhibition at ArtsXchange honoring the life of Dr. Doris Derby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ATL Street tours owner and operator Claudia Hart explains why she thinks art can pave a path to complex conversations. Plus, author Natalie Keng details her new cookbook, “Eggrolls and Sweet Tea,” Cat Carter takes the stage in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we look at the upcoming Atlanta Fringe Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel guru Rick Steves stops by for this month's edition of ATL Up and Away and shares the secrets to packing light. Plus, Atlanta Music Project co-founder and CEO Dantes Rameau and cellist Sterling Elliot discuss the Amp Summer Series, and we shine a light on artist Krista Jones in our series, "Speaking of Art."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.