The City Lights Collective

Lois is joined by Emory Film Professor Matthew Bernstein and Honors student/curator Evan Amaral to discuss Emory Cinematheque's free virtual film series “New Cinematic Directions.” The centerpiece of the series is a four-film mini-retrospective of works by the Angolan filmmaker, Sarah Maldoror -- the first woman of African descent to write and direct a feature film. The film series runs through March 19th. More information will appear on our website--wabe.org/citylights. Also, Matt Paxton joins us to talk about the new PBS series "Legacy List." The show airs every Wednesday at 5PM on our PBS station, ATL-PBA.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sculptor Chris Condon and curator Laura W. Adams joined Lois Reitzes to talk about the exhibition "Three Billion" which focuses on the loss of bird life. More information is on our website - wabe.org/citylights.Plus, Fahama Pecou tells us about "The Space Between" - his new installation on view at Hambidge Cross Pollination Art Lab.And we celebrate St. David's Day, the Welsh national holiday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acclaimed opera singers, Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres join Lois Reitzes to explain their friendly rivalry and demonstrate with some dazzling sounds. Their new album 'Amici e Rivali', also known as "Friends and Rivals" is out now. Plus, Otis Redding's classic song "Dock of the Bay" is reimagined as a children's book. Karla Redding-Andrews, the daughter of Otis Redding and executive director of The Otis Redding Foundation, and Atlanta artist Kaitlyn Shea O'Connor, the illustrator of the new book stopped by to talk about it.And we'll hear from Rob and Fox Rich, the subjects of the documentary "Time." They were joined by filmmaker Garret Bradley. The film is available to stream on Amazon Prime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sabin Streeter joins Lois Reitzes to talk about the intensive research involved in the making of "Finding Your Roots" and share some memorable stories of guests. This evening, our PBS station ATL PBA will host a virtual conversation with Sabin Streeter and WABE's Morning Edition host Lisa Rayam. More information about that event will be on our website--wabe.org/citylights.Plus a conversation with Miriam Udel, associate professor of Yiddish language, literature, and culture at Emory University. She is also the author of the Yiddish children's book, "Honey on the Page." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor's Express Artistic Director Freddie Ashley, Amanda Washington, Director of "Crossroads," and Amina McIntyre, writer of Episode 6 of "Crossroads," join Lois Reitzes to talk about this series described as an “adventurous story by people of color, about people of color, and for people of color." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Center for Puppetry Arts prepares for the panel discussion "A Conversation with Black Theater Artists." The online discussion will be this Friday. More information will be on our website -- wabe.org/citylights. Plus we'll listen back to a conversation about the documentary "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am."And Claudia Einecke talks about some major artworks recently acquired by the High Museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Photographer Chris Aluka Berry joins Lois Reitzes to talk about his work focusing on the people of Affrilachia. It’s on view at the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail through June.Plus we'll hear about a show that challenges bakers to create life-sized cake replicas of famous celebrities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes speaks with Andrea Lentz-Smith and Alisha Lola Jones, two professors featured prominently in the new PBS documentary "Voice of Freedom" about the illustrious singer, Marian Anderson. The film from "American Experience" airs on ATL PBA on Sunday at 9 pm.Also, The Ailey Experience Destination Dance Atlanta virtual events begin today and run through Sunday. More information about the master classes and discussions will be on our website--wabe.org/citylights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with Mary Anne Adams, executive director of ZAMI Nobla about the inaugural "Women Sweet on Women" virtual film festival. Also, we'll hear from Alexander Smalls about his cookbook "Meals, Music, and Muses."Plus, a conversation with Rabbi Micah Lapidus about his new song "Better Angels." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts joins “Closer Look” to discuss the Fulton County Board of Registrations & Elections vote to fire Director Richard Barron during a special meeting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'll hear about some of the festival's highlights including the films "A Crime on the Bayou" and "Kiss Me Kosher."Also, Lois talks with PBA Multi-platform producers Brianna Carr and Jaime Green about the #AtlantaSundaysBest gallery and "Tell Me the Story." Check out the gallery at wabe.org/tellmethestory. You can see "The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song" on ATL PBA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with the Rev. Dr. Dwight Andrews about music featured "The Black Church," a new PBS documentary from Dr. Henry Louis Gates; and Greg Levine of Trees Atlanta, as well as Calinda Lee of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights about the upcoming "Flowering Forest" tree tribute to former congressman John Lewis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with Adam Koplan, artistic director of Flying Carpet Theatre Company, about patriotic music as part of the "Culture Crash" series; and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick about his podcast "Being American."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Scott Stewart joins Lois to talk about their favorite love-themed music.Also, a conversation about the documentary “Surviving the Silence” with Director Cindy L. Abel and producer Marc Smolowitz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes speaks with Emory film scholar and professor Nsenga Burton about the life and legacy of the late, great Cicely Tyson.Plus Ron Sherman discusses his iconic photo of Hank Aaron with two teenagers as he scored his 715th home run.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois talks with award-winning actors Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stainfield about their roles in this haunting, powerful film. It premieres Friday in select theatres and on HBO.We'll also hear from Anna Mailaka Tubbs. Her new book is "The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation."And Atlanta-based filmmaker Christina Yoon discusses her film “Mirror” which takes a close look at Korean beauty standards and the extreme measures people will take to achieve their idea of perfection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with Atlanta native and former All American College football player, opera singer Morris Robinson about his love letter to Atlanta and why he chose the Fox Theatre as its background.Also, author Leesa Cross-Smith discusses her new novel "This Close to Okay." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eli Smith is an extraordinary musician who honors a tradition of what he prefers to call “old time” or “Down Ho” music, which most people would describe it as folk music. Eli is highly acclaimed for his work as a banjo player, with his band “The Down Hill Strugglers.” He is also the founder of the Brooklyn Folk Festival. He joined Lois via Zoom to discuss his music and songs. Plus we'll hear from two Atlanta drag queens who host the Wussy Magazine podcast, "Good Judy."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois talks with the director of "The BLACK CHURCH: This is our Story. This is our Song" ahead of PBA's special virtual event. Also, the Atlanta Ballet has created "Silver LInings" in bleak times. And we revisit Lois' conversation with actor Colman Domingo about his role in the film "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman recently received Golden Globe nominations for their roles in the film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nine years running, SCAD aTVfest has celebrated the design, creativity, and innovation in television and media. Producer Summer Evans speaks with the filmmakers of "Murder on Middle Beach," and we'll hear about the virtual line-up for the event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss" magnifies these tiny creatures into exquisite large-format portraits. Lois Reitzes talks about the works with the renowned British photographer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawnya Harris, curator of African American and African Diasporic Art for the Georgia Museum of Art, joins Lois to talk about the Museum's new exhibition "Emma Amos: Color Odyssey" which highlights the artists rich body of work. We'll also hear from director Adam Koplan of Flying Carpet Theatre Company about the new City Lights series Culture Crash, which he is curating.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Driskell's first posthumous exhibition, Icons of Nature and History will be on view at the High Museum February 6th through May 9th. The High's Michael Rooks joined Lois Reitzes to talk about the artist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're also discussing the film Second Samuel which points to many of the major differences that divide us today. Creatives, including favorite Atlanta-based actor Bethany Anne Lind, join Lois to talk about the film's many comic moments and its treatment of contemporary issues of women's rights, race, gender and equality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with two authors - Georgia-based Laura Morelli, about her recent book "The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci's Italy" and Robert Ratonyi about "From Darkness into Light – My Journey through Nazism, Fascism, and Communism to Freedom."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois talks to WABE Music Contributor Dr. Scott Stewart about Mozart's life, his work, and his 265th birthday. Also, "The Atlanta Jewish History Talks" begin tomorrow at 10:30AM with Steve Oney and The Breman founding archivist Sandra Berman. Lois talks with Oney and Jeremy Katz, director of Southern Jewish history archives at the Breman Museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois talks with Bill Margol, Sr. Director of Programming & Development at PBS and artist Jon Key about the new PBS series American Portrait, a multiplatform endeavor with the goal of asking us what it means to be an American. A public mural project is part of American Portrait, and the mural created by Jon Key is in Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Nelson will be hosting the live virtual discussion "Spirited Conversations: Behind the Scores" at noon today with Jamie Barton. You can register to hear the conversation by visiting atlantamasterchorale.org.City Lights Producer Summer Evans talks with Author Shermaine Perry-Knights. about her new children's book "I Move A Lot And That's Okay."The online Atlanta Music Festival runs today through the 30th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews Will Ransom, pianist and director of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta about upcoming performances; Katie Hayes of Community Farmers Markets about their farmers markets in Atlanta; and Geo Sipp, director of Kennesaw State University's School of Art & Design about the exhibition "The 9th Art: Frames and Thought Bubbles," which features comic book art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with Mara Davis about her recommendations for things to do around Atlanta with dogs during the pandemic; and author Harold McGee about his new book "Nose Dive: A Field Guide To The World's Smells." Producer Summer Evans interviews Shelly Danz, producer of Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with contributor Scott Stewart about music fit for a presidential inauguration; author Andrea Davis Pickney about her children's book "Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews Nena Gilreath and Waverly Lucas, co-founders of Ballethnic Dance Company, as well as dancer Karla D. Tyson about the organization; and Nicole A. Moore of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights about their virtual event for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews Matt Torney and Addae Moon about Theatrical Outfit's "Unexpected Play Festival"; author Connor Towne O'Neill about his book on monuments and white supremacy, "Down Along With That Devil's Bones"; and Archel Bernard, owner of the ethical fashion brand Bombchel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews author Robert Jones, Jr. about his book "The Prophets"; and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter as well as artist and SCAD alumnus Brandon Sadler about the exhibition "Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design" at SCADFash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with Chris Escobar, executive director of the Atlanta Film Festival, about the Sundance Film Festival presenting screenings in Atlanta; and Kabir Sehgal about his new documentary "Fandango at the Wall."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews playwright Pearl Cleage, as well as Chris Moses and Dan Reardon of the Alliance Theatre about the play "Sit-In"; Karla Redding-Andrews about her new children's book "Respect"; Brook Adams and Rachel Cochran about Callanwolde Fine Arts Center's Ability GardenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews actor Emily Blunt and Carl Herder of the Atlanta office of the American Institute for Stuttering about stuttering and Blunt's work to advocate for those who stutter; and curator Sarah Dylla about the Atlanta History Center's exhibition "Atlanta ’96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City." Producer Summer Evans talks with Kudzi Chikumbu of TikTok to find out how people are connecting via the app during the coronavirus pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews author Darin Strauss about his new novel "The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story"; and civil rights photographer Steve Schapiro and photographer, author, and activist Sheila Pree Bright about their work on display at Jackson Fine Art GallerySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews author Cathleen Schine about her new book “The Grammarians”; and Jason Shannon, Ben Holst and Jeremy Gilbertson of the audio production company Tunewelders about their workSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with director Mary Wharton and producer Chris Farrell about their documentary "Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews composer Jacob Ryan Smith and choreographer Heath Gill about "Marley Was Dead to Begin With," streaming online through Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre; Cheryl and Warren Lee, owners of 44th and 3rd Booksellers about their store and reading recommendations; and Leora Morris and Ben Coleman about the Alliance Theatre's broadcast of "A Christmas Carol," set to air on ATLPBA on December 23 at 9pm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews 12 year-old chef D'Von Mills and his mother, Sarah Sorhaindo, about the competing in the Food Network's "Kid's Baking Championship"; author and chef Asha Gomez about her book "I Cook in Color: Bright Flavors from My Kitchen and Around the World"; and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick about his podcast "Being American."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews Monica Obinski, curator of decorative arts and design at the High Museum, about the exhibition "Bestowing Beauty: Masterpieces from Persian Lands"; Music contributor Scott Stewart about the roll of the minor mode in Christmas music; and Cookbook author Anne Byrn about baking during the coronavirus pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews music director Robert Spano about the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's upcoming virtual Spring season; Mesia Salaita of ScienceATL about their app, Race Through Space; and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter as well as artist and SCAD alumnus Brandon Sadler about the exhibition "Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design" at SCADFash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews actor Maya Efrat and director Robert Shaw-Smith about Aris Theatre's production of "The Red Telephone"; Celebrity hairstylist Tracey Moss about her new book "Styling By Faith"; and author Jen Bryant and illustrator Frank Morrison about their children's book "Above The Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews actor Colman Domingo about his role in the film adaptation of playwright August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"; and music contributor Scott Stewart celebrates the musical life of Beethoven.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes talks with photographer Ron Cooper and Santa Rick about Cooper's new book "We Are Santa: Portraits and Profiles"; as well as Tony Casadonte and photographer Herb Snitzer about "A Jazz Memoir: Photography by Herb Snitzer" on view at the Breman Museum through March 2021. Producer Summer Evans interviews author Shermaine Perry-Knights about her new children's book "I Move a Lot and That's Okay."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews dancer and author Megan Taylor Morrison about her new book of collected stories "Dance Adventures: True Stories About Dancing Abroad"; and director Lydia Dean Pilcher about her film "Radium Girls." Producer Summer Evans talks with Woodruff Park project manager Ansley Whipple and artist Ellex Swavoni about this year's "PRISM: Winter Lights" installation at Woodruff Park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews theatre director André Gregory about his new book "This Is Not My Memoir"; and Emory professor Miriam Udel about Yiddish-language stories for Chanukah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois Reitzes interviews actress Terry Burrell about "A Very Terry Christmas" streaming on Alliance Theatre Anywhere; author Oliver Jeffers about his children's book "What We'll Build"; and Chef Alon Balshan of Alon’s Bakery to talk about Chanukah traditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.