The City Lights Collective

City Lights engineer and contributor Shelley Kenneavy takes us to Fernbank for a deep dive into the Tyrannosaurs family tree. Plus, author George Dawes Green tells us about his new book, “The Kingdoms of Savannah.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Ms. Pat stops by ahead of the season 2 premiere of her BET+ sitcom “The Ms. Pat Show.” Plus, the creatives behind the Hi Lo Press Gallery share their DIY journey. And our series, Speaking of the Arts, features Angie Jerez. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pod Save America’s Jon Lovett stops by ahead of their upcoming live Atlanta show. Plus, we blast off with the Illuminarium’s current immersive exhibition, “Space.” And, our series highlighting local musicians, “Speaking of Music,” features Indee Star. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Funk and soul musician Joi stops by ahead of her Sounds Like ATL headlining gig and discusses the evolution of Atlanta’s creative reputation. Plus, our series of local artists in their own words features neo expressionist, Vando.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Steve Keene and producer Daniel Efram share stories from the newly curated “Steve Keene Art Book.” Plus, our new series “H. Johnson’s Jazz Moment” premieres with a feature on jazz legend Anita O’Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Named Best New Play Incubator by Atlanta Magazine in 2018, Essential Theatre has given Georgia playwrights a voice and produced over 30 world premieres. Founding artistic director Peter Hardy and one of this year’s featured playwrights, John Mabey, share details on this year’s 23rd Essential Theatre Play Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seth Watson, founder of the newly opened Distillery of Modern Art in Chamblee, shares his hopes for the unique establishment. Plus, our series of local artists in their own words, “Speaking of the Arts,” today features Travis Smith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Playwright Shay Youngblood and director Tom Jones share details on Horizon Theater Company’s production of “Square Blues.” Plus, our series of local musicians in their own words, “Speaking of Music,” features the band Starbenders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chantelle Rytter from the Krewe of Grateful Gluttons details Saturday’s upcoming “Parliament of Owls” lantern parade. Plus, we hear about “Graffiti: A Library Guide to Aerosol Art” on view through January 23 at Emory’s Robert W. Woodruff Library.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder and CEO of Black Art in America, Najee Dorsey, shares details on their new East Point gallery and sculpture garden. Plus, our series “Speaking of the Arts” features animator and muralist Chris Alvarez.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta photojournalist and photographer Ron Sherman shares the stories behind some of his most influential and historical pictures ahead of his upcoming exhibition at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Plus, our series of local musicians in their own words, “Speaking of Music,” features the band Young Antiques.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Merchant of Venice” is coming to Atlanta’s Shakespeare Tavern, and we hear about the all-female cast leading the production. Plus, the identities of Indigenous people and their forced removal and displacement are explored in two new exhibitions at the Atlanta Contemporary, and we’ll visit with the exhibitions’ curators. And our series of local artists in their own words, “Speaking of the Arts,” features multi-media artist Carl Janes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning Lego artist Sean Kenney tells us about his “Nature Pop!” exhibition at the Atlanta Zoo. Plus, ringmaster and performer Jan Vazquez and aerialist Valeria Koshova of the Ukrainian Bingo Troupe take us under the big top of Circus Vazquez.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The creatives behind The Moth Radio Hour discuss their new field guide, “How to Tell a Story.” Plus, music contributor Von Phoenix and our series, “Punk Black to Go.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor, comedian and author Phoebe Robinson stars in the new show "Everything's Trash", and we listen back to her City Lights conversation from this past fall about her 2021 book, "Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes." Plus, a visit with the founders of Zilch Market, a non-alcoholic pop-up bar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Dr. Fahamu Pecou tells us about his new project, “Black Boy Journal.” Plus, a visit with Sam Beam, the musician also known as Iron and Wine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrated surrealist pop artist Greg Mike gives details on the “OuterSpace Project,” a weeklong festival featuring music and collaborative art events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former NBA All-Star, author, and artist Joe Barry Carroll and Hammonds House Museum curator Leatrice Ellzy tell us about Barry’s new exhibition, “My View From 7 Feet.” Plus, whimsical fine art photographer Julie Blackmon on her recent work at the Jackson Fine Art Gallery. And our series, “Speaking of Music,” features the Atlanta band Grand Vapids.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curators and brothers Onaje and Omari Henderson, along with their artist father Aaron Henderson, detail ZuCot Gallery's new exhibition, "Presence: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood." Plus, Atlanta author and film buff Scott McGee shares the secrets of stunt work in his new book, "Danger on the Silver Screen."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Rooks, the High’s Modern and Contemporary Art Curator, tells us about “Bob Thompson: This House is Mine.” Plus, Natalie DeLancey and Daniel Kutner share details on City Springs Theater’s “West Side Story” production, and our series “Speaking of the Arts” features muralist Eric Nine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Jennifer Alice Acker and actor Jasmine Renee Ellis share details on “Lizzie” from Actor’s Express. The rock and roll musical tells the true crime story of Lizzie Borden. Plus, our series “Speaking of the Arts” features multimedia artist Emily Llamazales.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian and “Chappelle’s Show” co-creator Neal Brennan stops by ahead of his upcoming performance at Variety Playhouse. Plus, the Atlanta creatives behind the “Hugo Girl!” podcast discuss Science Fiction with a feminist lens. And our series “Speaking of Music” features Atlanta musician Kendall Keeling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Vanessa Riley discusses her new historical novel, “Sister, Mother, Warrior,” and shares how stories of strength and survival can have lasting effects on readers. Plus, details on The Woodstock Arts Theatre’s musical adaptation of “James and the Giant Peach.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WABE’s Sounds Like ATL monthly concert series returns to City Winery tomorrow. This month’s theme is Folk Music, and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls will host the event. Before she takes the stage, she joins City Lights to talk about the evolution of folk music and the inherent diversity of the genre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning children’s book, “The Incredible Book Eating Boy,” imagines a way in which a young boy named Henry could absorb books by eating them. This whimsical picture book has now become a musical at the Alliance Theatre. “The Incredible Book Eating Boy” will have its world premiere on July 13th, and to celebrate, the Alliance Theatre has partnered with Children Read. This non-profit organization encourages literacy among young readers. Children Read President Cindy Jaret and The Alliance’s Dan Reardon Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director, Chris Moses, give an overview of the production and explain the collaboration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Demetri Martin stops by ahead of his upcoming Atlanta performance at Variety Playhouse. Plus, the artist behind Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, Atlanta’s own Grant Henry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In what some critics have hailed as “the first great literary novel of the pandemic,” Gary Shteyngart’s “Our Country Friends” follows a fictitious Russian-American writer gathering his family and closest friends at his upstate New York bungalow during the lockdown. Plus, festival director Alesia C. Johnson and Emory’s Dr. Amy Aidman share details on the Atlanta Children’s Film Festival. The 15th annual event starts tomorrow and runs through July 24th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tristan Al-Haddad, a Georgia Tech professor at the School of Architecture and owner of Formations Studio, shares details on his permanent installation of the “Crosland Chroma Project.” Plus, our series “Speaking of Music” features jazz musician Tony Hightower.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana Chandler, the curator behind the new Wren’s Nest exhibition “Unframed Images: Photography from the Collection of P.H. Polk,” explains why Polk’s work was considered radical for his time. Plus, our series “Speaking of the Arts” features surrealist sculptor Morgan Lugo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Hotel Portofino’s” executive producer Walter Luzzolino and the show’s writer, Matt Baker, share details on the aesthetically sumptuous PBS series, which airs Sundays on WABE TV. Plus, our series “Speaking of Music” features the rock and soul band, Rare Birds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curator Deleon Blakely and artist Melody Thomas detail the community undertaking known as the 44 Murals Project, located in Bankhead at 1060 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawnya Harris, in-house curator for the Georgia Museum of Art, shares details on their new exhibition, “Carrie Mae Weems: The Usual Suspects.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we host a Stranger Things Theme Show! We begin by speaking with Regina Ting Chen, the actor who portrays Hawkings High School’s guidance counselor. Then, we head to the Film Crew Files and hear from 4 local professionals who helped create Stranger Things Season 4. And we’ll listen back to Lois’s 2018 interview with Finn Wolfhard. The actor portrays Mike on the hit show and is also a musician.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atlanta creatives behind the “Hugo Girl!” podcast discuss Science Fiction with a feminist lens. Today, they join City Lights to share the story behind their recent Hugo Award nomination. Plus, Algebra Bassett stops by! The R&B artist is hosting WABE’s “Mixtape LIVE” festival this Sunday at Monday Night Garage. And, our series “Film Crew Files” features directory of photography, Alexxiss Jackson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City Lights’ contributors Chef Asata Reid and food historian Akila McConnell present our food series “Atlanta’s Savory Stories.” Today, they explore everyone’s favorite summertime treat – ice cream. Plus, R&B artist Jazmine Robinson tells us about her Bridgerton-influenced music video for her hit song, “Money and Cars.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Avery Willis tells us about the “Southern Fried Queer Pride” festival coming up this weekend. Plus, music contributor Von Phoenix shares his music recommendations on this month’s “Punk Black to Go.” And a look at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre’s production of “Matilda: The Musical” with director Bethany Irby and star Marissa Bondurant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multidisciplinary artist Jamele Wright Sr. shares details of his exhibition “Project Wall West” on view at Kennesaw State’s Zuckerman Museum of Art. Plus, our series “Speaking of Music” features the alternative rock band Wieuca.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta composer Carlos Simon shares the story behind his Juneteenth release, “Requiem for the Enslaved.” Plus, we hear about “String Awakening,” an upcoming performance from “Challenge the Stats” and their “Juneteenth Orchestra.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WABE’s Summer Reading list is out, and today we explore a couple of Lois’s favorite books from the past year: “Liarmouth” by John Waters and “The Parted Earth” by Anjali Enjeti.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Master puppeteer Jeghetto tells us about “Spinokio,” his Hip-Hopera performance and museum exhibition, coming to The Center for Puppetry Arts. Plus, artist Jeremy Bolen examines our collective human patterns and their effects on our planet’s habitability. And our series “Speaking of Music” features Bill Taft of the band W8ing4UFOs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Playwright Dermot Bolger and director Clinton Thornton share details on Bolger’s adaptation of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” The play is presented by Aris Theater and premieres June 16th, “Bloomsday,” at 7 Stages. Plus, we hear how Underground Atlanta’s new exhibition, DIGATL, explores the future of how we view art. And our series of artists in their own words, “Speaking of the Arts,” features abstract expressionist Dawn Trimble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian, journalist, author and actor Faith Salie stops by to share stories from her book, turned one-woman show, turned Audible original, "Approval Junkie."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Terry Burrell and director Eric Little of Theatrical Outfit’s “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” The play takes place in a 1950s Philadelphia jazz bar where the legendary Billie Holiday is giving one of her final performances. Plus, Chris Escobar, owner of the Plaza Movie Theater, shares details on the historic theater’s upcoming renovations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-curators Hannah Redler-Hawes and Floyd Hall share details on “HOOKED: When Want Becomes Need” on view at Pullman Yards through September 4th. Plus, acclaimed fashion designer Christian Siriano tells us about his exhibition “People are People,” on view now at the SCAD Fash Museum of Fashion and Film in Atlanta through October 9th. And our series “Speaking of Music” features the Atlanta cinematic pop band Solid State Radio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conductor and longtime ASO music director Robert Spano reflects on his upcoming final performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Plus, Attaboy, co-founder of Hi-Fructose magazine and creator of “Game of Shrooms,” shares his inspiration for creating an international art holiday based on the playful game of “Hide and Seek.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Leesa Cross-Smith shares details from her new book, “Half Blown Rose.” The story centers around Vincent, a woman who remakes her life with a year of travel, art and passion in Paris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer” is coming to Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre next week, and we hear from playwright Cheryl West and director Joy Vandervort-Cobb. Plus, the latest installment of our series, “Speaking of the Arts,” features visual artist Paula Brett.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Orly plane crash. The accident killed 122 people, most of whom were members of the Atlanta Arts Association. Two of those aboard the plane were Betsy Bevington and Dell Rickey, the grandmother and great-grandmother of award-winning journalist Rickey Bevington. Rickey joins City Lights to reflect on the Orly tragedy and share how she continues to honor her family’s legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes spoke with director Martin Damien Wilkins and actor Parris Sarter about Actors Express’s production of “Bootycandy.” Plus, the story behind the hot-button decision Roe vs. Wade now on stage at Horizon Theatre. Director Lisa Adler and actors Jennifer Alice Acker and Rhyn McLemore discuss the play, “Roe.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Photographer Jim Alexander and film producer Adam Davis-McGee discuss the two exhibitions on view concurrently at the Hammonds House Museum-- “No Justice, No Peace: Protest Photography from 1967 through 2022” and the virtual reality film series, “In Protest: Grassroots Stories from the Front Lines.” Plus, we listen back to Lois Reitzes’ 2021 interview with experimental guitarist and composer Kaki King discussing her show “No Data Found.” We also highlight the hardcore band Playy Time in our “Speaking of Music” series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.