The City Lights Collective

Curator and gallery owner Valerie Jackson details “The Art of Dr. Seuss,” on view by appointment at the Ann Jackson Gallery in Roswell. Plus, Comedian Tim Chirikalov takes the stage in our series, “Speaking of Comedy,” and we hear about this weekend’s upcoming Atlanta Pride Run. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-curators Rachel Garbus and Samuel Landis detail the “Out Down South” exhibition, on view now at National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Plus, The Atlanta Beltline’s Miranda Kyle and musician Mausiki Scales discuss the upcoming Beltline After Dark Festival and our series, “Speaking of Y’allywood” shines a light on make-up artist Carol Rasheed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ravi V Bellamkonda, Provost and Professor at Emory University, discusses AI and the arts. Plus, our series "Speaking of Poetry" shines a light on LadyVee DaPoet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LEGO® artist Nathan Sawaya and curator Mario Iacampo discuss "The Art of The Brick: Immersive Experience" is on at the Exhibition Hub Art Center in Doraville. Plus, surrealist painter and illustrator Tim Lee and curator Brandi Smart detail "Return to Coda," Lee's new solo exhibition opening June 3 at Empire Arts Gallery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist and printmaker Jamaal Barber discusses his time on the MTV reality show “The Exhibit.” Plus, creative director and artist D.L. Warfield details his work on the iconic covers of OutKast’s albums “ATLiens” and “Aquemini.” Then, H. Johnson joins us for the newest edition of H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael and Michelle Loyd tell us about Dope Coffee, their Decatur coffeehouse that adds a touch of HipHop to their unique blend. Plus, paper artist Alex Wolf is highlighted in our series, “Speaking of Art,” and wildlife enthusiast Christian Cave stops by for “Expedition Atlanta.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leatrice Ellzy, senior director of programming at the Apollo Theater, and performance artist Jessica Care Moore discuss “The Blues and Its People.” Plus, Camille Russell Love, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, details the 2023 Atlanta Jazz Festival, and we’ll hear about ATLAST Gallery’s debut exhibition, “This is Just a Test.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The owner of Brave and Kind Bookshop, Bunnie Hilliard, shares her summer reading list for kids, then writer Allison Law discusses her recently published “Reading Roundup” in the Bitter Southerner magazine. Plus, we’ll hear about a local citizen bringing banned books pop-ups to the metro-Atlanta area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Activist, politician and author Stacey Abrams discusses her new thriller “Rogue Justice.” Then, prolific Atlanta artist Peter Ferrari details “Covalent,” his new exhibition at ABV Gallery. Plus, our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” shines a light on Atlanta poet Carlos Barboza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curator Floyd Hall details Science Gallery Atlanta's "JUSTICE" exhibition, on view now at Pullman Yards. Plus, we catch up with actor Janora McDuffie from the musical comedy film, "Praise This."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Regina N. Bradly joins us as this month’s highlighted professor in our series, “The Art of Teaching.” Then, Dirk Standen, the Dean of SCAD School of Fashion, and student Maliki Gilbert discuss this year’s SCAD Fashion Show. Plus, comedian Cesar Pichardo takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Comedy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Caleb Jamel Brown discusses his new exhibition, “Crawlspace,” on view now at MOCA GA. Then, our series “Speaking of Music” highlights Atlanta heavy metal boy band, Zyx. Plus, we’ll hear about the Kamay Arts and Music Festival happening this weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watani Tyehimba discusses this weekend’s upcoming 32nd annual Malcolm X Festival. Then, we’ll hear about MomoCon, coming to Atlanta May 25 – 28. Plus, our series, “Speaking of Art,” highlights muralist and painter Aysha Pennerman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Atlanta media maven and WABE contributor Mara Davis explains her dislike of brunch and shares her alternative Mother’s Day gift and experience ideas. Then, photographer Robert Weingarten discusses his portraits that showcase the essence of his subjects, instead of their image, on view now at the Breman Museum. Plus, WABE’s H Johnson tells us about jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan on the newest edition of H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wendy Battaglia, Rachel Cochran and Christine Trotman discuss the mission behind Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance. Then, we learn about Atlanta’s sneaker culture and talk to some local sneakerheads about this growing trend. Plus, culture journalist Mike Jordan details his recent story for Eater, “The Triumph of Black Brunch in Atlanta.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet Jenny Sadre-Orafai discusses “Dear Outsiders,” her new book of prose, which captures sibling life in a coastal town. Then, Caroline Young, Site Director of Common Good Atlanta, and Callan Steinmann, Curator of Education at Georgia Museum of Art, tell us about the new exhibition that combines artwork with creative writing from the currently incarcerated. Plus, our series, “Speaking of Art,” shines a light on mixed-media artist Leigh Ann Culver.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drag superstar Brigitte Bidet discusses her recent Atlanta All-Stars Drag competition win and hosting “Drag Bingo” at Politan Row. Then, Atlanta young adult author Laurel Snyder shares how she combines Judaism and magic in her new book, “The Witch of Woodland.” Plus, Gringo Star takes the spotlight on our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we’ll hear about the band’s experience playing at the Shaky Knees Music Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Wesley Boutilier discusses his documentary short about “The World of Sid and Marty Krofft," the amazing yet short-lived amusement park once located in the CNN Center. Then, Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, the executive director of South Fulton Institute, and director Kayla Parker detail “Clyde’s,” part of “Connect,” the new theatrical live reading series supported by the South Fulton Institute. Plus, local aerialist and contortionist Lacy Elian tells us about AveNoir Arts, a cirque performance company of acrobats and movement artists who perform mind-bending body magic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Lesley Dill and curator Cynthia Thompson discuss “Wilderness: Light Sizzles Around Me,” the new exhibition at Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman Museum of Art. Plus, photographer Paula Gately Tillman shares stories from “Fringe,” her book of black and white portraits from New York and Atlanta’s underground art scenes of the 80s and 90s. Plus, City Lights producer Jeannine Etter details Jane’s Walk, a free annual festival of volunteer-led neighborhood walks that celebrate a city’s past, present, and future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this month’s “Atlanta’s Savory Stories,” City Lights food contributors Chef Asata Reid and culinary historian Akila McConnell delve into the history of Atlanta’s Jewish communities and their delicious contributions to our eclectic food scene. Plus, we find out what’s inside the bright glowing pink neon box on the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail as DJ Ree de la Vega and Dash Studio’s Courtney Hammond discuss A/V Radio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bassist Josh Finerty and lead vocalist Charlie Steen of the 5-piece South London band Shame stop by ahead of their upcoming performance at the Shaky Knees Music Festival. Plus, artistic director Freddie Ashley and we'll hear about the new Actor's Express production of "Prayer for the French Republic." Plus, our series, "Speaking of Dance," shines a light on concert dancer Ayanna Dubose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel expert Rick Steves joins us for this month’s edition of “ATL Up and Away.” Plus, our series, “Speaking of Comedy,” shines a light on Atlanta comic Damon Sumner. Then, we hit the red carpet for a visit with George R.R. Martin and Vincent D’Onofrio at the Atlanta Film Festival’s screening of their animated short, “Night of the Cooters.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violinist and composer Alice Hong details her new role as the Luxardo Entertainment Group founder. Plus, the City Lights team comes together for a roundtable discussion about May neighborhood festivals, and we hear about a FreakNik reunion party this weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of National Poetry Month, we talk to various poets in our community. Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn begins the show with reflections on the recently passed poet David Bottoms. We then speak with author and Spelman professor Sarah RudeWalker about her new book "Revolutionary Poetics." Next is poet James David May, who shares some deeply personal work from his latest collection, "Unusually Grand Ideas." The show concludes with a feature on some of Georgia's youngest poets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bass-baritone Greer Grimsley discusses the Atlanta Opera's "Das Rheingold" production on stage at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts from April 29-May 7. Plus, Photographer Barbara Dombrowski details "Tropic Ice," her new exhibition at the Goethe-Zentrum German Cultural Center. And, our series, "Speaking of Music," spotlights singer-songwriter V Love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruby Velle of Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics stops by ahead of the band’s upcoming performance at Callanwolde Arts Center. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prominent Atlanta art dealer, Bill Lowe, passed away in 2021 due to complications from Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was the owner and president of the Bill Lowe Gallery for over 30 years. After Lowe's passing, the gallery appointed Donovan Johnson as Executive Director to continue his mentor's legacy. The gallery's name has since changed to the Johnson Lowe Gallery, and Donovan is ushering in a new era for this space. "The Alchemists" is the first exhibition to kick off the rebranding, and it's on view through April 29. Co-curators Seph Rodney and Donovan Johnson joined City Lights to discuss the show in detail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, the High Museum of Art announced artist Ebony G. Patterson as the 2023 recipient of the David C. Driskell Prize in recognition of her contributions to African American art. Patterson joins City Lights to discuss how her multiple media work addresses visibility issues through explorations of class, race, gender, age and acts of violence in the context of "postcolonial" spaces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tobago Benito, owner of DBS Sounds in Riverdale and founder of the Black-owned record store coalition, "Forever A Music Store," stops by ahead of tomorrow's Record Store Day. Plus, our series, "Speaking of Art," highlights Jeffery Wilcox Paclipan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Film Festival executive director Chris Escobar shares details on this year's event, including films not to miss and a discussion on the Creative Conference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandy White, director of adult programs at Oakland Cemetery, details "Illumine 2023," which begins on April 27. Plus, we hear about "The Seedling," a new collaboration between Kennesaw State University's theater department and Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheridan Alford, director of community engagement at the Georgia Audubon, discusses this year’s Georgia Bird Festival. It takes place April 22nd through May 21st at various locations across the state. Plus, Grammy award-winning banjo player Béla Fleck discusses his new album “My Bluegrass Heart.” He’s performing at Emory’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts on April 20. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City Lights host Lois Reitzes speaks with Atlanta filmmaker Kirby McClure about his new independent film "Spaghetti Junction.” A sci-fi drama that follows a disabled teenager who encounters a traveler claiming to have supernatural origins, the story takes place in the Doraville neighborhood around Spaghetti Junction. City Lights producer Jeannine Etter travels to the World Natural Hair, Health and Beauty Show. Plus, we listen back to Lois’ conversation with Scraplanta’s executive director Jonelle Dawkins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-author Rabeshia Clay details her new children's book, "Let's Film a Movie." Plus, City Lights producer Summer Evans takes us to Moulin Rouge, and H Johnson joins to discuss jazz saxophonist Stan Getz in our newest installment of H Johnson's Jazz Moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and producer Erika Miranda discusses her short film, "Mi Casa," now streaming on HBO Max. Plus, City Lights producer Jeannine Etter wheels us into Atlanta roller skating culture, and music journalist Chad Radford discusses his new book, "Atlanta Record Stores: An Oral History."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our series, "The Art of Teaching," celebrates Angela Harris, ballet instructor at Emory University and adjunct professor at Spelman. Also, director Adam Koplan details "The Gershwins: Who Could Ask for Anything More," coming to the Bremen Museum Sunday, April 23. And our series, "Speaking of Music," spotlights "god-hop" artist, Sa-Roc.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgene Bess Montgomery details Clark Atlanta University's 50th Annual Writers Workshop Conference. Plus, choreographer and co-artistic director Kerry Lee discusses the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company's new original production, "We Belong Here: Rising Against Asian Hate."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls discusses “It’s Only Life After All,” the documentary showcasing the musical duo’s 40+ years together. Plus, our series, “Speaking of Y’allywood,” shines a light on Jason Lockhart and Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri details her new book, “Alexandra Petri’s US History: Important American Documents I Made Up.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s Jeff Watkins and playwright Douglas Post detail “By My Will,” a new comedy at the Shakespeare Tavern that ponders the true authorship of The Bard’s work. Plus, comedian Amber Benton takes the stage in our series, “Speaking of Comedy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curator Birney Robert and Full Radius artistic and executive director Douglas Scott discuss “Extension of Self: A Dance Between Human and Digital.” Plus, our series “Speaking of Art” highlights Donna Garcia, and we hear about Theatrical Outfit’s production of “Tiny Beautiful Things from director Amber McGinnis and actor Maria Rodriguez-Sager.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J.J. Hudson, co-director of the Georgia State University Opera Theater’s “Our Town” production, discusses the opera ahead of the theater’s upcoming performances at the Rialto Center for the Arts. Plus, Jessica Hanna, the surviving daughter of artist Ellen DeLoach, shares details on her mother’s posthumous exhibition, “Nesting: Loss, Triumph, and Redemption.” And our series “Speaking of Dance” highlights hip-hop dancer David Hector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel expert Rick Steves stops by for this month's "ATL Up and Away." Plus, co-directors Divyesh Balamurali and Krishna Upadhyayula detail Awaaz, The National South Asian A Cappella Championship, coming to the Rialto Center for the Arts this Saturday. Then, Atlanta poet Jon Goode shares his poem dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr., "Me, God and Destiny," and City Lights remembers Atlanta photojournalist and former WABE colleague Boyd Lewis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown stops by before his upcoming conversation and performance at the Alliance Theater. Plus, the City Lights team comes together for a roundtable discussion about April neighborhood festivals, and our series, “Speaking of Music,” highlights singer-songwriter Ian Cole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrated classical pianist and composer Sir Stephen Hough discusses his new memoir, “Enough,” before his Saturday performance at Spivey Hall. Plus, multimedia artist Linda Mitchell is highlighted in our series, “Speaking of Art,” and WABE’s H Johnson joins us for “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harold Young, executive director of Macon's Tubman Museum, discusses "The Tyler Perry Exhibition." Plus, celebrated photographer Tom Dorsey and curator Andi McKenzie detail "A Very Incomplete Self-Portrait: Tom Dorsey's Chicago Portfolio," on view in The Works on Paper Gallery at the Carlos Museum through July 16. And our series, "Speaking of Comedy," highlights Lisandra Vazquez.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ricci de Forest discusses the Madam C.J. Walker and WERD Museum. Plus, Out of Hand Theater's artistic director Ariel Fristoe and writer/actor Ingrid Griffith detail "Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed and Unbowed," running through April 30 in living rooms across Atlanta. And our series highlighting local film and television professionals, "Speaking of Y'allywood," features actor and screenwriter Madison Hatfield.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophia and Reid Trapani, owners of the new Cuban-inspired plant-based restaurant La Semilla share their mission to have as many people enjoy vegan food as possible. Plus, author Nicole Melleby tells us about her children's book "Sunny and Oswaldo," and our series, "Speaking of Music," highlights Tom Cheshire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Joseph Nizeti discusses his documentary, "Fungi: Web of Life," now screening at Fernbank Museum. Plus, a conversation with Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the feminist punk band Bikini Kill and details on the Dorrance Dance Company’s upcoming performance at the Rialto Center for the Arts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Pat Matheson, President and CEO of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and muralist Niki Zarrabi detail “Orchid Daze,” on view at the Atlanta Botanical Garden through April 9. Plus, our series celebrating the oldest bars in Atlanta, “Cheers,” checks in with the owners of the Righteous Room on Ponce de Leon Ave. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.